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"Do  thou  thy  -work,  then  trust  the  Gods'  decree, 
That  as  thy  Avoric  thy  recompense  shall  be': 


TO     MY     WIFE. 


The  Wife,  if  gifted  in  all  household  ways 
Where  Home  has  fair  its  sacred  altar  reared, 

Is  worthy  of  all  praise  — 
A  ye  !  precious,  far  beyond  all  treasure,  is 
The  heart  that  makes  the  hearthstone  love-endeared 
With  gentle  ministries. 


Yet  how  much  more  is  honor  due — IF  AUGHT 
BE  DUE  TO  LOVE  —  to  Thee — her,  who   like  thee, 

In  realms  of  Mind  hath  sought 
A  wider  province  for  her  wifely  part; 
0  Wife  and  Friend  in  one!  —  whose  ministry 
Is  to  l)0th  mind  and  heart. 


Therefore  the  Poet  brings  this  tribute  meet; 
Trusting  that  Hope  will  true  her  promise  keep: 

Who  in  the  noon-day  heat 
Together  stand  to  sow  Life's  fallow  lea 
With  Thought  and  Deed,  —  that  they  together  reap 
The  Harvest  yet  TO  BE. 


INTEODUCTIO^T. 


IT  is  to  the  Mythologies  of  the  primitive  races  that 
we  are  to  look  for  the  expression  of  the  earliest  poetic, 
religious  and  philosophic  thought  of  Mankind. 

While  the  Folk-lore  of  the  Old  World  has  long  been 
made  the  subject  of  research  and  poetic  elaboration,  the 
Mythology  of  the  North  American  Indians  has  received 
comparatively  little  attention. 

Wrhat  the  Eddas  were  to  Scandinavian  Europe;  what 
the  Greek  Mythology  was  to  the  Hellenic  mind  ;  what 
the  story  of  Buddha,  with  all  its  clustering  fables,  is 
to  Hindoo  and  Mongolian;  what  the  teachings  of  Christ 
are  to  the  Christian  world, —  the  revel-ation,  in  some  sort, 
of  a  divine  love  and  wisdom,  ai'ound  which  gather  the 
deepest  affections,  the  purest  hopes  and  aspirations  of  the 
human  soul;  —  such,  undoubtedly,  were  to  the  Red  Men 
the  body  of  their  myths  and  legends,  of  which  but  a 
meager  store  has  been  left  to  us. 

There  is  in  these  fragmentary  traditions  abundant  evi- 
dence that  they  are  the  architecture  of  a  religion,  a  part 
of  the  world's  sacred  literature  —  the  Scriptures  of  the 
Ages;  scattered  rays  of  Divine  Truth  come  down  from 
above,  clothed  in  such  imagery  as  the  then  development 
of  the  Race  made  possible  of  apprehension. 


VI  INTRODUCTION 

In  the  broader  light  of  a  universal  interpretation  we 
see  in  these  legends  the  essentials  of  all  Religious  truth; 
the  idea  of  God,  of  immortality  and  an  eternal  world;  the 
recognition  of  good  and  evil;  and  in  some  form,  however 
imperfect,  the  same  injunctions  and  requirements  that 
are  the  burden^of  the  Christian  Bible;  and  though  their 
standard  is  not  our  standard,  they  show  that  even  the 
Savage  may  perceive  somewhat  of  the  inevitable  deformity 
of  Vice  and  the  infinite  beauty  of  Virtue. 

Though  in  many  forms  and  with  a  great  diversity  of 
detail,  one  central  legend  underlies  the  whole  system  of 
Indian  Mythology.  Under  various  names,  as  that  of  Mica- 
bou,  Chi-a-bo,  Manabo-zho,  Ta-ren-ya-wa-go  and  Ha-yo- 
went-ha,  are  rehearsed  the  marvelous  achievements  of  one 
and  the  same  remarkable  personage;  the  central  idea  in 
each  being  that  of  a  Divine  Man;  one  of  miraculous  birth 
and  superhuman  attributes  sent  among  the  Indians  from 
the  Great  Spirit.  He  subdues  the  monsters  of  the  forest 
and  the  rivers;  he  teaches  the  Red  Men  to  use  the  bow 
and  arrow  in  war  and  in  the  chase,  to  build  their  wig- 
wams, to  grow  corn  and  beans,  and  to  be  noble  and  brave. 

Whether  or  not,  at  some  remote  period,  there  existed 
among  them  one  of  wonderful  powers,  answering  in  any 
degree  to  the  idea  in  the  Indian  mind,  it  is  not  important 
to  inquire.  That  such  was  the  fact  seems  not  improbable, 
as  will  readily  be  conceded  by  those  who  hold  the  belief 
in  any  divine  interposition  in  the  affairs  of  men.  Those 
who  accept  the  teaching  that  Christ  had  a  divinely  ap- 
pointed mission  to  the  world,  will  not  find  it  hard  to 
believe  that  the  Infinite  would  send  a  messenger  of  life 
and  light  to  the  benighted  Children  of  the  Wilderness  as 
well  as  to  the  more  enlightened  Race. 


INTRODUCTION.  vii 

It  would  be  interesting  to  point  out  the  coincidences 
between  the  miracles  wrought  by  the  Great  Teacher  and 
those  ascribed  to  these  Heathen  Divinities.  Christ  walked 
upon  the  water;  Ha-yo-went-ha's  canoe  went  without 
paddles.  Christ  raised  the  dead;  Manabo-zho  had  a  like 
power  over  the  ge-bi,  or  departed  spirit.  Christ  multi- 
plied the  loaves  and  fishes  to  feed  the  multitude;  their 
Manitoes  could  create  abundance  in  seasons  of  want.  The 
parallel  might  be  still  further  extended;  nor  would  the 
comparison  make  all  the  so-called  miracles  seem  less,  but 
more,  as  being  the  result  of  a  universal  law  that  makes 
like  marvels  possible,  at  all  times,  and  among  all  men  ; 
at  least, —  that  causes  like  beliefs  in  them  to  take  root 
among  peoples  widely  diverse. 

In  whatever  light  they  may  be  read,  these  legends  will 
have  a  growing  interest,  as  being  the  only  recoi'ds  of  the 
faith  of  a  fast-passing  race;  and  as  the  truest  index  of  the 
inner  life  of  a  people  that  possessed  noble  traits,  which 
it  will  be  well  to  remember  and  cherish. 


If  the  White  Race,  possessed  of  all  the  advantages  of 
civilization,  are  to  be  judged  by  their  highest  attainments 
in  Art,  Science,  Literature  and  the  noblest  examples  of 
character  that  they  have  developed,  surely  the  unlettered 
dwellei'S  in  the  forest  should  not  be  subjected  to  a  more 
rigorous  rule.  If  Cicero  was  in  any  sense  the  height  of 
Rome,  then  the  eloquence  of  a  Gar-an-gu-la,  a  Sa-go-ye- 
wat-ha  and  a  Sken-an-do  should  be  taken  as  the  measure 
of  the  Indian's  intellectual  attainments.  The  same  rule 
should  apply  in  regard  to  other  qualities,  as  the  love  of 
freedom,  the  power  of  endurance,  of  self-sacrifice  and 
courage. 


viii  INTKODUCTION. 

These  characteristics,  that  were  so  strikingly  exhibited 
by  the  more  warlike  of  the  Indian  race,  and  that  were 
possessed  in  common  by  many  of  the  northern  tribes, 
reached  in  the  Iroquois  their  highest  expression  and  finest 
exemplification. 

"  The  Iroquois  is  the  Indian  of  Indians,"  says  Park- 
man.  "  In  this  remarkable  family  of  tribes  occur  the 
fullest  development  of  Indian  character,  and  the  most 
conspicuous  examples  of  Indian  intelligence." 

Previous  to  the  discovery  of  the  Continent  by  Colum- 
bus the  scattered  tribes  had  joined  themselves  together  in 
a  League  of  Alliance,  the  principles  of  which  have  been 
the  wonder  of  philosophers,  and  with  a  governmental 
polity  that  has  w6n  the  admiration  of  statesmen. 

Of  the  date  of  the  confederacy  of  the  Five  Nations  — 
the  great  Aquan-uschi-oni  League  —  there  can  be  only 
conjecture.  The  native  historian,  David  Cusic,  gives  a 
chronology  of  thirteen  successions  of  chiefs  before  the  ap- 
pearance of  the  White  Man.  There  is  probably  in  this 
record  an  element  of  truth;  all  that  is  certainly  known, 
however,  is  that  these  uncivilized  tribes,  banded  together 
for  a  common  end  of  protection  and  defense,  and  not 
always  in  accord,  surrounded  by  other  tribes  more  savage 
than  themselves,  with  only  the  bow  and  arrow  and  the 
rudest  implements  of  warfare,  not  only  held  together  for 
hundreds  of  years,  but  steadily  grew  in  strength,  intelli- 
gence, material  comforts  and  social  amenities. 

Mr.  Morgan  says,  in  his  League  of  the  Iroquois:  "  They 
achieved  for  themselves  a  more  remarkable  civil  organiza- 
tion, and  acquired  a  higher  degree  of  influence,  than  any 
other  race  of  Indian  lineage,  except  those  of  Mexico  and 


INTRODUCTION.  ix 

Peru.  In  the  drama  of  European  colonization  they  stood 
for  nearly  two  centuries  with  an  unshaken  front  against 
the  devastations  of  war,  the  blighting  influence  of  foreign 
intercourse,  and  the  still  more  fatal  encroachments  of  a 
restless  and  advancing  border  population.  Under  their 
federal  system  the  Iroquois  flourished  in  independence,  and 
capable  of  self-protection,  long  after  the  New  England  and 
Virginia  races  had  surrendered  their  jurisdictions,  and 
fallen  into  the  condition  of  dependent  nations;  and  they 
now  stand  forth  upon  the  canvas  of  Indian  history,  prom- 
inent alike  for  the  wisdom  of  their  civil  institutions,  their 
sagacity  in  the  administration  of  the  League,  and  their 
courage  in  its  defense." 

Though  to-day  there  remains  only  a  remnant  of  the 
once  proud  and  powerful  Iroquois  Confederation;  though 
it  paled  and  waned  before  the  mighty  tide  of  the  White 
Toilers;  it  has  left  a  name  that  shall  not  be  blotted  out 
while  the  love  of  liberty  remains,  and  the  voice  of  elo- 
quence has  power  to  move  the  hearts  of  men. 

In  the  following  poem  the  writer  has  aimed  to  give, 
in  an  intimately  related  series  of  pictures,  the  story,  as 
embodied  in  the  Iroquois  tradition,  of  the  origin  of  the 
Confederation,  and  especially  all  that  relates  to  the  part 
the  great  personage  of  Indian  Mythology — Ha-yo-went- 
ha  —  took  in  the  formation  of  the  League;  a  league  all 
the  more  wonderful,  originating,  as  it  did,  among  savage 
tribes,  whose  literature  was  confined  to  oral  traditions 
and  picture-writing;  and  whose  arts  were  bounded  by  the 
bow  and  arrow,  rude  stone  implements,  the  dressing  of 
skins  and  their  manufacture  into  clothing,  and  to  the 
growing,  in  the  most  primitive  manner,  of  a  few  products 
of  the  soil. 


X  INTRODUCTION. 

Whatever  of  thought,  of  feeling  or  belief  the  author 
has  embodied  in  the  League  of  the  Iroquois,  he  holds  to 
be  but  the  legitimate  interpretation  of  the  customs  and 
legends  in  which  he  finds  alike  the  subject  for  his  pen  and 
the  inspiration  of  his  Muse.  If  he  has  softened  and  modi- 
fied their  forms  as  they  existed  in  a  rude  barbarous  age,  it 
is  but  in  keeping  with  a  well  recognized  license,  without 
which  any  original,  poetic  treatment  of  his  subject  would 
be  impossible. 

Instead  of  following  to  the  letter  any  one  form  of  the 
story,  he  has  chosen  rather  to  take  from  several  their 
poetic  features;  or,  when  departing  from  them  all,  he  has 
still  endeavored  to  keep  true  to  their  spirit, —  to  the 
highest  conceptions  of  the  Indian  mind.  And  that  he 
might  write  a  poem  that  should  be  recognized  as  true 
to  nature,  not  alone  as  the  White  Man  understands 
nature,  he  has  sought  to  invoke  a  Muse  that  could  see  as 
the  Red  Man  saw,  could  feel  as  he  felt;  and  that  could  — 
so  far  as  the  impediments  of  language  will  permit  —  in- 
terpret to  us  the  facts  and  experiences  of  the  marvelous 
world  in  which  the  Indian  dwell*. —  one  that  will  be  found 
to  be,  nevertheless,  a  very  human  world. 


CONTENTS. 


FAGK 

DEDICATION,  -                                                    ...  m. 

INTRODUCTION,       -       -  v. 

THE  LEAGUE  OF  THE  IROQUOIS. 

CHAPTER  I.  PROEM,  3 

"  II.  THE  FORE-WORLD,  .  9 

"  III.  THE  COMING  OF  HAYO-WENT-HA,  ...  27 

"  IV.  THE  WONDROUS  DEEDS,  ....  37 

"  V.  HAYO-WENT-HA'S  JOURNEYING,  -  -  49 

"  VI.  SONG  OF  HAYO-WENT-HA,  59 

"  VII.  NYAH-TAH-WANTA, 69 

"        VIII.  THE  WOOING,      ...  83 

"            IX.  SONG  OF  NYAH-TAH-WANTA,          ...  97 

X.  THE  BRIDAL,      -               ....  105 

XI.  THE  AFTER  DAYS, 117 

"  XII.  THE  COUNCIL, 135 

"  XIII.  SPEECH  OF  HAYO-WENT-IIA,  -  -  -  153 

XIV.  HAYO-WENT-HA'S  MOURNING,  -  -  -  163 

XV.  THE  LEAGUE, 171 

XVI.  THE  FEAST,  -  -  -  183 

"  XVII.  HAYO-WENT-HA'S  PARTING  WORDS,  -  195 

"  XVIII.  HAYO-WENT-HA'S  DEPARTURE,  -  -  205 

"  XIX.  THE  BROKEN  HEART,  -  -  -  -  215 

"  XX  THE  BETTER  LAND, 225 


Xll  CONTENTS. 


MISCELLANEOUS. 


PAGE. 

WINONA,                                       239 

THE  GREAT  SNAKE  OF  CANANDAIGUA. 

[A   SENECA   TRADITION.] 

CHAP.     I.    ORIGIN  OF  THE  SENECA  NATION,         .        -  253 

"        II.    THE  GREAT  SNAKE,  257 

"      III.    THE  BATTLE, 261 

"       IV.    THE  VICTORY, 266 

THE  SHINING  MANITO, 271 

THE  FLOOD, 274 

ORIGIN  OF  THE  RED  WILLOW, 278 

THE  BEAR-WIFE, 281 

SHIN-GE-BIS, 288 

SPEECH  OF  ME-TEY-A, 291 

THE  LAST  OF  THE  HUNTER  RACE,    -       -       -       -  294 

NOTES, 299 

VOCABULARY,         .<.       =       <,<><,..,,  317 


PRINCIPAL  PERSONS. 


PRONOUNCED 


MAXAUO-ZHO. 

(  '  Man-a  16-zho) 

MAXITO. 

(Man  '  -i  -to) 

IXIGORIO. 

(  In-i-g6-ri  o) 

O  \VAY-XEO. 

(  0-ivay-ne-o  ) 

OSSEO. 

(Os-sJ-o) 

ChVEXEE. 

(0-we-nee) 

The  great  Mythological 
Hero  of  the  Iroquois.  The 
founder  of  the  League. 

Smile  of  the  Great  Spir- 
it  Bride  ofHayo-  went  ha. 

The  great  Mythological 
Hero  ^  the  A1gOnquins. 

Guardian  Spirit. 
The  Good  Mind. 
The  Great  Spirit. 
A  famous  Magician. 
Bride  of  Osseo. 


SCEKE.      Onondaga  and  the  Lake  Region  of  Central  New  York. 


THE   LEAGUE 

OF    THE 

IROQUOIS. 


Seen  from  afar  the  rude  barbaric  years 
Are  dark  with  blood  and  rapine,  wrong  and  crime, 

Wherein  alone  the  Savage  Man  apjiears  ; 
Yet  near  beheld,  from  the  remotest  time 

A  human  soul  dwelt  in  each  stalwart- form, 
And  Beauty's  smile  a  grace  to  Woman  lent  ; 

Throbbed  human  hearts  with  human  passions  warm, 
Though  sheltered  by  the  u-igwam's  barky  tent. 


PROEM. 


No  more  —  alas  !  why  still  recall 
What  to  the  Past  must  still  belong  ? 

No  more  —  what  other  word  can  fall 
To  make  a  fuller  sorrow  -  song  ? 

No  more  return  the  days  gone  by; 
The  troubled  winds,  with  ceaseless  moan, 

In  sough  and  sob,  in  wail  and  sigh, 
Still  blend  their  anguish  with  my  own. 

In  vain  the  aching  breast  enfolds 
Each  scene  it  may  no  longer  see, 

Save  that  some  drops  of  comfort  holds 
The  hallowed  urn  of  memory. 

Though  vain  we  mourn  a  glory  fled  — 
The  fairest  forms  no  longer  fair, 

A  cheerful  song  for  loved  ones  dead 
May  win  us  from  more  fell  despair. 
2 


ft 

4  THE  LEAGUE  OF  THE  IROQVOIS. 

\ 

I  thread  the  forest  lone.     I  wait 
Where  once  your  sheltering  wigwams  stood, 

Bewailing  your  untimely  fate, 
My  People  of  the  wild  and  wood. 

No  more  as  in  the  olden  days 
Shall  here  your  hunter -bow  be  bent, 

Where,  learned  in  nature's  simple  ways, 
You  dwelt  in  lowly  life  content. 

0  fallen  Braves  !  forevermore 
Yon  crystal  floods  that  leap  and  toss, 

Shall  wail  along  their  saddened  shore, 
Deploring  so  love's  olden  loss. 

While  rolling  suns  shall  burn  and  glow, 
The  seasons  crown  the  waiting  years, 

The  fairest  Summer's  cheek  shall  show 
Some  grief -betoken  ing  trace  of  tears. 

No  pilgrim   wind  that  homeless  sings 
But  murmurs  of  departed  braves ; 

No  zephyr  o'er  the  wild  that  wings 
But  lingers  by  forgotten  graves. 

Soft  through  the  twilight's  silver  sheen, 
Methinks  the  glimmering  stars  above 

Far  shining  in  the  blue  serene, 
Bend  low  with  pitying  eyes  of  love. 


PROEM. 

And  often  to  my  tearful  eye, 
When  yonder  orbs  grow  dim  and  pale, 

Tall,  painted,  sable  forms  go  by, 
And  on  the  night -winds  shriek  and  wail. 

Oh  !  dusky  shades  do  verily  haunt 
The  failing  ground  on  which  I  tread  ; 

Or  out  of  love's  imweaning  want 
Is  born  a  semblance  of  the  dead. 

And  once  familiar  voices  call, 
Sad  as  the  night  -  bird's  mournful  cries, 

From  out  the  hush  at  twilight -fall 
Where  prone  each  tented  roof-  tree  lies  ; 

Or  where  the  latest  watch-fire  shone, 
Or  plume -crowned  warrior  lingered  last ; 

Where  darkly  rests  each  fading,  lone 
Memento  of  a  glory  passed. 

Mementos  ?  —  ah  !  where  shall  I  turn 
For  relics  of  the  things  that  were  ? 

No  fragment  of  life's  broken  urn 
Rests  by  each  empty  sepulcher ; 

Of  noblest  breasts  beneath  the  sands 
Is  left  no  monumental  trace  ; 

No  grave-posts  set  by  loving  hands, 
No  to -terns  mark  their  dwelling  place. 


THE  LEAGUE  OF  THE  ISOQDOIS. 

Ye  lingering  few  who  weakly  stand 
Where  strong  of  old  your  fathers  stood  l 

The  rulers  in  a  mighty  land  — 
Unmeasured  leagues  of  wave  and  wood  ! 

Ye  proudly  keep,  howso  bereft, 
Still  of  the  bold  heroic  will, 

Though  of  that  realm  to  you  are  left 
But  narrow  belts  of  vale  and  hill. 

Where  once  you  bore  the  warrior -bow 
Or  fleetly  led  the  hunter -chase, 

Now,  fate  -  constrained,  you  reap  and  sow — 
Now  toil  as  doth  the  Toiler -race. 

If  others  plant  on  fairer  wold, 
And  harvest  more  of  golden  ears, 

I  this  recall,  that  they  do  hold 
The  vantage  of  a  thousand  years. 

Though  silent,  yours  a  soul  intense  ; 
Still  is  the  dusky  breast  imbued 

With  slumbering  fire,  whose  eloquence 
Once  thrilled  the  forest  solitude. 

And  when  the  thoughts  that  hold  and  thrall 
In  other  speech  take  form  again, 

You,  standing  in  the  council -hall, 
Shall  stir  anew  the  hearts  of  men. 


PROEM  7 

Though  war  to-day  could  but  degrade, 
Has  lost  for  you  its  use  and  place, 

It  was  your  warrior -bow  that  made 
You  first  among  the  Dusky  Race. 

And  though  our  shrinking  souls  abhor 
The  cruel  deed,  the  wild  excess, 

The  valor  that  is  born  of  war 
Is  kin  to  every  nobleness. 

It  was  the  foe,  fierce,  brave  and  strong, 
Who  for  your  homes  contending  stood, 

That  brought  the  need  which  wrought  erelong 
Your  mighty  League  of  Brotherhood. 

And  though  it  only  lives  in  name, 
Or  on  the  bold  historic  page, 

0  keep  its  bright,  proud  hero -fame 
Unsullied  still  from  age  to  age  ! 

And  were  it  better  so,  did  they  — 
The  fore  -  time  virtues  —  still  remain  ? 

The  virtues  of  one  race  and  day 
May  be  another's  vice  and  bane. 

Though  nevermore  to  warrior  bold 
Shall  time  renew  each  glorious  deed, 

Still  to  the  Bond  in  spirit  hold, 
The  precepts  of  its  founder  heed. 


THE  LEAGUE  OF  THE  IROQVOIS. 

On  him  to  whom  your  lofty  fame 
You  owe,  still  let  your  reverence  wait : 

Give  honor  due  the  noble  name 
Of  Hayo-went-ha,  good  and  great. 

Among  you  as  in  days  of  old 
May  love-inspiring  chieftains  stand  ; 

Who  wise  the  ancient  lore  unfold 
Hid  in  the  sacred  Wampum-band.    - 

And  what  the  Future  hath  in  store 
I  would  not,  if  I  might,  divine  ; 

Enough  for  you,  that  evermore 
The  Past  all  glorious  shall  shine. 

Wherein  till  Time's  corroding  hand 
Has  made  all  valor's  records  dim, 

The  Iroquois  shall  proudly  stand 
For  daring  deeds  the  synonym. 


THE    FORE-WORLD. 


Vast  fields  unfenced  sare  by  the  purple  round 
Of  the  high-arching  hearens;  the  grand  on-sweep 
Of  rivers  that  far  stretch  from  zone  to  zone ; 

Lakes  wide  out-reaching  the  horizon'*  bound ; 
Hoar  mountains  wonder-wrapped,  sublime  and  lone  ; 
Woods  that  in  wild  unbroken  beauty  sleep 

Age  unto  age:  —  a  fairer  world  apart  ! 
Such,  Nature  building  on  her  larger  plan, 

With  temples,  altars,  shrines  surpassing  Art, 
Was  once  the  home  of  the  Primeral  Man. 


II 


THE    FORE-WORLD 


HE  that  has  stood  with  kindling  eye 
Owasco's  peerless  blue  beside, 

Looked  oil  Cayuga  murmuring  nigh, 
On  Canandaigua's  tranquil  tide, 

No  more  may  wonder  why  to-day 
By  their  bright  floods  Tradition  dwells  ; 

By  the  clear  springs  of  Seneca 
And  Onondaga's  limpid  wells. 

To  honor  with  just  meed  of  praise 
All  noble  deeds,  the  ages  wait ; 

Still  from  the  Past  some  token  stays, 
Some  record  lives  of  heroes  great. 

Nor  shall  ye  be  of  fame  bereft, 
First  on  the  bold  Heroic  Page, 

While  to  these  lakes  and  streams  are  left 
Their  names — your  gift  and  heritage. 
3 


12  THE  LEAGUE   OF  THE  IliOQUOIS. 

Yet  who  shall  bring  the  vanished  lore  — 
Of  other  days  the  story  tell  ? 

Of  days  while  yet  their  farther  shore 
Where  now  the  Pale -face  strangers  dwell. 

Was  trod  alone  by  dusky  braves ; 
While  yet  the  light  canoe  was  seen 

Alone  upon  their  smiling  waves, 
And  wigwams  by  their  marges  green. 

Though  be  my  loss  another's  gain, 
What  comfort  to  this  anguished  heart 

In  boundless  fields  of  golden  grain, 
In  smiling  homes  and  thronging  mart  ? 

And  turn  I  oft  with  longing  eyes 
From  scenes  the  nearer  vision  sees, 

To  those  that  far  and  dimly  rise, 
And  deeply  cherished  more  than  these. 

When  all  the  plain  was  lapped  in  calm 
To  where  the  horizon  deepens  down  ; 

Serene  embloomed  in  summer  balm 
Or  robed  in  autumn's  gold  and  brown  ; 

When  stretched  a  broad  unbroken  wild 
Far  as  the  Morning's  eye  could  trace, 

In  nature's  beauty  undefiled,— 
The  Empire  of  the  Hunter -race. 


THE  FORE-WORLD.  13 


0  peerless  realm  !  of  liill  and  vale, 
Of  mountain,  moorland,  wood  and  glado. 

Traced  only  by  the  narrow  trail 
That  dusky  moccasined  feet  had  made  ;  '"' 

Where  many  a  smiling  meadow  shone, 
Fenced  by  the  ether's  purple  ledge, 

With  waving  grasses  overgrown, 
High   greening  to  the  billows1  edge. 


0  vanished  days  !  no  more  to  be,  — 
Days  when  beside  these  limpid  springs 

Wide  roamed  the  Elk  as  fleet  and  free 
As  though  his  very  feet  had  wings. 

The  Moose  his  mighty  antlers  bore 
O'er  pastures  green  with  kingly  rule  ; 

The  red  Deer  flocked  each  grassy  shore  — • 
Stood  mirrored  in  the  crystal  pool. 

What  time  the  patient  Beaver  wrought — 
A  type  of  noblest  brotherhood  ! 

As  though  his  meaner  soul  had  caught 
The  vision  of  earth's  highest  good  ;  — 

When  through  an  instinct  brute  and  dim, 
-The  dream  that  haunts  the  wisest  sage 

To-day,  was  realized  in  him  : 
liude  prophet  of  a  riper  age  ! 


14  THE  LEAGUE   OF  THE  IROQUOIS. 

When  oft,  as  winter  winds  wore  chill 
And  woke  the  Raven's  croak  and  caw, 

Borne  on  the  blast  came  yelpings  shrill 
Broke  from  the  Wolf's  nnsated  maw ; 

As,  trailing  far  some  hapless  Roe 
He  circled  on  the  panting  beast, 

Wild  calling  through  the  drifting  snow 
His  fellows  to  a  common  feast. 

What  time  the  Fox,  or  late  or  soon, 
Far  o'er  the  glimmering  fields  away, 

Led  forth  her  young  beneath  the  moon 
To  wily  hunt  the  wary  prey; 

Or  following  wide,  to  snuff  the  wind, 
Of  keener  scent,  in  cunning  deft, 

Her  larger  unloved  kin,  to  find 
If  latest  surfeit  something  left. 

Or,  when  sweet  Shaw -on -da -see  drew 
Each  pinion  fleet  from  seas  remote, 

Outwelled  from  sightless  deeps  of  blue, 
The  Brand -goose  clanged  his  harsher  note; 

The  while  each  oft   returning  spring 
The  purple  sea  was  softly  pressed 

By  gentle  White  Swan's  snowy  wing, 
Or  daring  Osprey's  downy  breast. 


THF  FORE-WORLD.  15 

When  cloven  by  Eagle's  wing  would  break 
The  far  horizon's  golden  edge  ; 

And  noisy  tell  -  tale  Teal  and  Drake 
Quacked  querulous  through  the  reedy  sedge  : 

Or  woke  a  swift -winged  clash  and  clang 
As  nigh  the  fierce -beaked  Falcon  flew  : 

While  to  the  moon  the  Sea -owl  sang 
His  doleful  note  of — "  woo  -too  -woo." 

When  not  alone  at  morning  blush 
The  Shore -lark  woke  his  piping  shrill, 

But  cleaved  afar  the  sober  hush 
Of  falling  twilight,  piping  still. 

Or  slow  along  the  river's  brink 
The  wide -winged  Fisher  darkened  by; 

Or,  where  the  blue  waves  rise  and  sink. 
Came  up  the  Sea -crow's  lonely  cry. 

Or,  dark  from  umbrage -shadowed  spring 
At  set  of  sun,  the  Bittern  drew 

His  sable -plumed  nocturnal  wing, 
Or  woke  his  hollow  "dun-ka-doo." 

Or,  piercing  far  the  dusky  pall 
Of  storm  -  bethreatening  night,  was  heard 

The  Loon's  sad,  ill -foreboding  call  — 
A  lonesome,  melancholy  bird. 


16  THE  LEAGUE   OF  THE  IROQUOIS. 

Slow -wading,  bent  on  leech  and  frog, 
The  Snipe  clacked  o'er  the  reedy  moor ; 

The  Pewit  from  the  drift-wood  log- 
Sang  "pe-wit"  to  the  drowsy  shore. 

While  harsh  and  hideous  unaware, 
The  foolish  Moor -hen  screeched  and  screamed 

Till  all  the  fowls  of  sea  and  air, 
From  ugly  contrast  fairer  seemed. 

Deep  in  the  greening  willows  hid, 
Chief  of  the  insect -minstrel  throng, 

The  solemn -trilling  Katy-did 
Lulled  the  lone  twilight  hours  with  song. 

And  all  the  night  long  twinkled  bright 
The  fitful  Fire -fly's  flickering  lamp  ; 

Or  danced  afar  the  fleeting  light 
Of  meteor  from  the  marshy  damp. 

While  over  all,  night's  mournful  bird 
In  plaintive  numbers,  wild  and  shrill. 

At  eve  or  rising  dawn  was  heard  — 
The  sad -complaining  Whippoorwill. 

No  sound  amid  the  sounds  I  hear 
At  morning's  flush  or  vesper's  sigh 

Falls  soothing  on  this  listening  ear 
As  fell  that  long -lost  lullaby. 


77/7?  I<~ORE-WOPTJ>.  17 

Yet  not  for  Nature's  loss  alone 
I  share  in  Nature's  grief  and  tears  ; 

Each  wild  beast  fled  or  free  bird  flown 
Love's  deeper  loss  the  more  endears. 

Each  tenant  of  the  woods  and  streams, 
Linked  to  a  fairer  glory  fled, 

Unto  the  anguished  spirit  seems 

A  portion  of  the  loved  and  dead. 

***** 

Ere  deep  athwart  night's  sable  gloom 
With  flashing  like  a  falling  star 

First  broke  the  cannon's  awful  boom, 
Or  venturous  voyager's  song  afar, 

The  while  his  white  sail  fluttered  free, 
Or  gay  with  moonlight  silver  furled, 

Came  o'er  the  softly -flowing  sea 
Like  whispers  from  the  under -world  ;  — 

Here  by  the  flood  the  dusky  brave 
Looked  from  his  wigwam's  lowly  door 

To  hear  the  sweetly  vocal  wave 
Low -lapsing  on  a  quiet  shore  ; 

To  see  the  days  go  tranquil  by, 
The  starry  nights  in  peaceful  rest ; 

As  blest  in  Nature's  lap  to  lie 
As  infant  on  its  mother's  breast. 


18  THE  LEAGUE  OF  THE  IKOQUOIS. 

In  simple  thought  content,  to  him, 
Far -gazing  from  the  grassy  mound, 

The  fading  ether's  silver  rim 
But  seemed  the  wide  world's  outer  bound. 

While  in  the  high  o'erarching  dome 
A  fairer  land  his  fancy  drew  ; 

The  noble  warrior's  Spirit  Home 
Lay  just  beyond  its  wall  of  blue. 

Serene  the  radiant  seasons  wore, 
Unstartled,  save  by  rustling  reed 

Touched  by  the  zephyr's  wing  that  bore 
Fair  Seg-wun  o'er  the  springing  mead  ; 

As  forth  she  came  from  sunset  skies, 
Robed  in  a  halo  so  complete 

It  only  showed  to  eager  eyes 
The  glory  of  her  shining  feet. 

Or  if,  perchance,  a  wilder  moan 
Came  o'er  the  water's  shadowy  gloom, 

As  with  an  ill -foreboding  tone 
The  bull -rush  waved  its  airy  plume  ; 

Or  angry  billows  boisterous  grew 
With  chafing  on  the  pebbly  beach  ; 

Or  stormy  winds  went  wailing  through 
The  cedars  by  the  sandy  reach  ; 


THE  FORE-WORLD.  19 

Or  strange,  unwonted  sounds  were  heard 
Like  spirits  through  the  frightened  air  ; 

The  cry  of  beast  or  scream  of  bird 
That  sorrow's  dim  monitions  bear ; 4 

Or  through  the  midnight  wan  and  pale 
Sped  angry  meteors,  glaring  red  ; 

Or  down  the  gloom  -emmantled  vale 
Stole  moccasined  warriors'  stealthy  tread  ; 

Or  fiery  War's  dread  rumor  came, 
And  on  the  sky  fell  portents  stood 

To  kindle  wide  the  battle  -  flame, 
Uplift  the  war -ax,  stained  with  blood  ;  — 

Here  oft,  with  warrior -bow  unstrung, 
He  long  on  bear-skin  couch  reclined ; 

Nor  heard  in  lays  the  wild  winds  sung 
The  discord  of  the  march  of  Mind. 

Or,  as  the  long  day  slowly  wore, 
With  eager  eye  and  wary  tread, 

And  feathered  quiver's  flinty  store, 
Far  followed  where  the  wild  deer  fled. 

Or  when,  in  hunter  pleasures  loose, 
The  chase  to  frenzied  passion  grew, 

He  fleetly  tracked  the  flying  Moose 
To  hills  beyond  the  farthest  blue. 
4 


20  THE  LEAGUE   OF   THE  IEOQUOIS. 

The  while  the  matron's  busy  hand 
To  beauty  charmed  the  lonely  day  ; 

Glad  toiling  for  her  dusky  band, 
And  him,  the  hunter,  far  away. 

No  needful  labor  held  in  scorn— 
Content  to  dig  the  fruitful  plain, 

To  plant,  or  pluck  the  ripened  corn 
Or  patient  pound  the  golden  grain. 

While  tawny  maids,  from  moon  to  moon, 
Sat  in  the  rude  tent's  matted  shade 

To  work  the  fawn -skin  beaded  shoon, 
Or  weave  the  precious  wampum -braid. 

Or  glad,  the  frailer  bark  to  run, 
Would  ply  their  brown  arms,  bare  and  stout ; 

Or  hang  the  bear -meat  in  the  sun, 
Or  angle  for  the  fickle  trout. 

Or,  as  the  sea  a  glory  caught, 
Lit  by  the  Leaf -moon  shining  late, 

Untouched  of  fear  that  sadly  brought 
The  dear  Winona's  darker  fate, 

Enclasped  by  young  brave's  manly  arm, 
B}r  love  enhaloed,  long  would  rest 

In  blissful  dreams  as  wildly  warm 
As  dreams  that  haimt  the  fairest  breast. 


THE  FORE-\V01iLT).  21 

And  who  shall  say  a  meaner  dower 
Had  she,  the  dusky  forest  -  child  ? 

That  on  her  lowly  nuptial  hour 
Xo  sylvan  Hymen  sweetly  smiled  ? 

To  lend  for  every  pain  and  strife 
Love  s  all-enduring  recompense  ; 

Robe  with  content  her  ruder  life 
And  garland  it  with  innocence. 

If  all  unlearned,  not  vainly  learned  : 
From  primal  household  ways  un weaned, 

The  woman  but  the  woman  yearned, 
The  maiden  to  the  matron  leaned  ; 

To  know  the  rarest  joys  that  be 
For  hearts  that  simple  loves  suffice  ; 

In  marvelous  mother -gift  to  see 
The  heaven  that  is  in  baby  eyes. 

With  tiny  feet  along  the  sand 
When  summer's  balmy  breezes  blew, 

Would  childhood  roam  its  fairy  land, 
With  cheeks  like  autumn's  ruddiest  hue , 

That  in  the  sunlight  ripened  free 
To  maiden  charm  or  manly  grace  ; 

Xor  marvel  that  I  fail  to  see 
The  fairer  in  the  paler  face. 


22  THE  LEAGUE   OF  THE  IBOQUOIS. 

Unfettered  grew  eacli  tender  thought, 
To  it  no  task -time  came  to  vex  ; 

Nor  Art  her  robe  unseemly  wrought 
To  mar  and  outward  symbol  sex. 

Yet  beauty  shines  through  all  disguise 
Unconscious  of  its  loveliness  ; 

And  Nature's  child  is  simply  wise 
Tn  Virtue  —  all  untaught  of  dress. 

Not  in  the  garment's  fold  or  braid, 
Nor  in  the  outward  form  or  face, 

The  heart  by  tender  passions  swayed 
Has  rarer  gift  of  charm  and  grace. 

In  voice  that  woke  in  gentler  tone, 
In  petted  wolf-  cub  sweet  caressed, 

In  nameless  winsome  ways  out  shone 
The  woman  in  the  maiden  breast. 

Or  on  each  face  with  sunshine  dyed, 
When  wandering  on  the  dreary  fell, 

The  growing  flush  of  manly  pride 
Would  manhood's  eager  life  foretell ; 

As  in  the  instinct  of  his  race 
And  native  health's  exuberant  glow, 

He  mimicked  wide  the  hunter- chase, 
Or  twanged  the  mimic  warrior -bow. 


THE  FORE-WORLD.  23 

Or,  as  to  riper  years  he  grew, 
His  hand  from  meaner  toils  aloof, 

He  builded  fit  his  bark  canoe, 
Or  wove  the  wigwam's  reedy  roof. 

Or  when  the  solemn  midnight  hour 
Shone  red,  with  blazing  camp-fires  lit, 

He  led  the  dance  where  strength  and  power 
Are  firm  in  limb  and  muscle  knit. 

Or,  more  his  greatening  heart  to  show, 
Would  eager  hunt  the  prowling  bear ; 

Or  chase  afar  the  frightened  roe, 
Or  panther  to  his  lonely  lair. 

Or  boldly  on  to  strife  and  din 
Of  war's  wild  turmoil,  unafraid  ; 

If  only  so  to  woo  and  win 
The  beauteous,  dark -eyed  Indian  maid. 

Still  growing  childhood  meets  my  eye 
With  faces  like  the  drifting  snow  ; 

The  tread  of  tiny  feet  go  by, 
But  not  the  tiny  feet  I  know. 

And  happy  voices,,  glad  and  gay, 
Soft  murmur  like  a  rippled  sea ; 

But  only  wake  the  memory 
Of  silent  voices  dear  to  me. 


24  THE  LEAGUE   OF  THE  JROQUOIS. 

Though  still  I  see  fond  yearning  eyes 
Full-brimming  Avith  love's  tender  bliss, 

No  other  orbs  so  fair  may  rise 
As  hers  that  lit  the  Avilderness. 

And  mid  the  throng,  that  onward  bears 
With  hurrying  like  the  hurrying  waves, 

No  manly  form  such  greatness  wears 

As  slumbers  in  the  olden  graves. 

***** 

By  wooded  hills  and  greening  vales 
That  more  the  mournful  Past  endears, 

I  con  the  half-forgotten  tales, 
Time-worn  and  blotted  all  with  tears, 

Of  chieftains  brave,  of  warriors  bold  : 
While  to  my  deeply-visioned  ken 

All  forms  —  the  best  beloved  of  old — 
That  fairer  Fore-World  throng  again. 

Of  maidens  smiling  as  the  sun 
By  home-bright  tents  that  glimmering  show; 

Of  painted  braves  that  leap  and  run 
Or  fearless  draw  the  warrior-bow. 

Of  youths  with  fiery  hearts  and  great 
Who  win  the  hunter's  proudest  fame, 

Returning  from  the  chase  elate, 
Full-laden  with  the  hunter's  game. 


THE  FORE-WORLD.  25 

Rejoicing  in  their  happy  lot, 
They  tell  of  all  adventures  bold  ; 

Or,  every  pain  and  care  forgot, 
To  hearken  to  the  legends  old, 

They  round  the  winter-fireside  sit ; 
To  list,  perchance,  the  aged  sire 

The  story  tell  of  him  that  lit 
The  Onondaga  Council-fire. 

And  if  my  Harp  I  wake  for  him 
Whose  fading  memory  still  delays  ; 

And  darkly  spell  the  record  dim  — 
The  record  of  departed  days  ; 

Wherein  is  shown,  with  little  art, 
The  greatness  of  his  fame  and  deeds  ; 

Nor  record  less  of  human  heart 
With  human  cares  and  human  needs  ;  — 

No  vain  renown  I  seek  to  win 
For  one  of  more  than  mortal  birth  ; 

But  only  do  I  strive  therein 
To  more  exalt  the  noble  worth 

Of  him  the  Red  Man  loved  the  most ; 
Of  him  I  loved  —  still  love  no  less 

Mid  Owayneo's  Shining  Host ; 
And  so  would  prove  love's  worthiness. 


26  THE  LEAGUE   OF  THE  IROQVOIS. 

Whom  most  we  love,  the  strong  or  great, 
Or  wise  or  good  or  beautiful, 

For  whom  we  strive,  for  whom  we  wait 
To  make  life's  crowning  glory  full, 

We  all  exalted  souls  would  move 
To  love  —  nor  make  love's  virtue  less  ; 

That  so,  through  love  these  too  may  prove 
Their  own  all  heights  of  nobleness. 

0  Love  !  however  much  is  left 
In  thee,  love  cannot  cancel  pain, — 

Sad  solace  of  a  heart  bereft — 
Nor  build  the  vanished  years  again, 

Nor  swiftly-lapsing  life  renew  ; 
Yet  will  I  turn  the  fading  Page 

Once  more  ;  once  more,  and  then  adieu, 
A  last  adieu — thou  Primal  Age. 


THE    COMING 


—OF — 


HAYOWENT-HA. 


Of  every  good  the  soul  mat/  know 
Its  aspiration  is  the  seed; 

TJiefloirers  of  bliss  that  sweetest  bloiv 
Spring  from  a  yearning  human  need  ; 

What  destiny  love  longing  tea  its, 
The  all-requiting  Fates  prepare ; 

The  key  to  all  the  hearenly  gates 
Is  in  the  heart's  iiintttered  prayer. 


Ill 


THE  COMING  OF  HA YO- WENT-HA. 


WHILE  yet  the  rising  days  were  few, 
And  deeds  of  wonder  had  not  grown 

Too  strange  and  marvelous  to  be  true, — 
So  all  infrequent  and  unknown  ; 

While  yet  in  wood  and  waterfall, 
In  wild  waves1  toss,  in  winds  that  blow, 

In  cry  of  beast,  in  free  bird's  call 
Was  heard  the  voice  of  Manito  ; 


While  yet  in  river,  lake  and  sea, 
Oft  heard  in  summer's  twilight  calm, 

Rude-floundering,  dwelt  great  Unk-ta-he, 
The  Nee-ba-naw-baigs  laved  and  swam  ; 

And  everywhere  by  vale  and  hill, 
In  rock  and  tree  and  floweret  fair, 

Some  spirit  dwelt  of  good  or  ill  — 
Some  spirit  of  the  earth  or  air  ; 5 


30  THE  LEAGUE  OF  THE  IBOQVOIS. 

While  yet  departed  shades  that  roam 
Or  in  more  subtle  forms  abide, 

Shades  that  alike  in  shadow-gloam 
Or  noontide  sunshine  darkly  hide,— 

All  shapes  that  are,  were  seen  to  be  ; 
Shapes  robed  in  light  whose  forms  of  air 

Our  duller  eyes  no  longer  see, 
Though  thickly  thronging  everywhere  ; 

While  yet  to  many  a  kindling  eye 
Fair  in  the  sunset's  painted  show 

Low  bent  the  Spirit's  Home,  so  nigh, 
It  glimmering  seemed  to  faint  and  glow ; 

So  nigh  that  you  might  hear  the  call 
Of  long-departed  braves,  or  stand 

High  on  some  mountain  tree-top  tall 
And  climb  into  the  Better  Land  ; 

Or  far,  with  wondering  sight,  behold, 
Lit  by  the  ether's  fiery  bound, 

Where  dwell  the  mighty  warriors  old, 
The  fairer  woods  and  Hunting  Ground  ; 

Or  see  beyond  the  cloudy  rack, 
Through  many  a  purple  rift  and  rent, 

Just  by  the  day's  departing  track, 
Great  Inigorio's  shining  tent ; 6 


THE  COMING   OF  HAYO-WENT-HA.  31 

In  that  far  time — how  long  ago  ? 
What  matters  if  I  may  not  tell 

How  many  suns  ?  —  enough  to  know 
That  of  a  truth  it  so  befell ; 

Of  greatest  deeds  the  world  hath  known, 
Of  hero-fame  the  most  sublime, 

The  unremembered  years  alone 
Have  record  ; — in  that  far-off  time, 

From  Isles  beyond  the  bound  of  day 
Where  dwells  the  mighty  Wa-zha-wand, 

A  magic  Chee-maun,  far  away, 
Wide-parting  from  the  Shining  Land, — 

A  magic  Chee-maun,  winged  with  flame 
And  light  and  fleet  as  morning  sun, 

Swift  o'er  the  flashing  billows  came, 
Nor  paddle  had — nor  need  of  one. 

And  Him  alone  it  lightly  bore, 
Bright  speeding  on  the  foaming  flood, 

Him — from  that  far-off  fairer  shore — 
Him,  Hayo-went-ha,  great  and  good ; 

Low-journeying  from  Love's  radiant  place 
The  people  of  the  wild  to  bless  ; 

His  brethren  of  the  Dusky  Race — 
The  dwellers  in  the  wilderness. 


32  THE  LEAGUE   OF  THE  IROQVOIS. 

And  who  may  say,  as  on  lie  drew, 
He  saw  afar  a  glory  shrined  ; 

Nor  that  his  heart  turned,  yearning,  to 
A  greater  glory  left  behind  ? 

Howe'er  it  be,  still  on  he  held  ; 
While  on  the  tide  a  splendor  shed 

That  frail  canoe,  as  self-impelled 
And  like  the  dawn  it  onward  sped. 

And  on,  and  on,  and  still  away, 
And  still  away  —  and  on,  and  on  ; 

He  passed  the  doorways  of  the  day. 
The  gateways  of  the  setting  sun  ; 

And  still  away  it  eager  pressed, 
More  light  and  fleeter  than  the  swan : 

As  if  the  sea  with  loving  breast 
Would  bear  the  precious  burden  on. 

Near  by  enchanted  shores  he  drew, 
Saw  where  the  dread  Magicians  dwell ; 

But  felt  no  fear,  for  well  he  knew 
Nor  wicked  art,  nor  wizard  spell 

Had  power  to  harm  ;  his  clearer  eyes 
Saw  medicine  for  every  pain, 

Saw  that  on  faithful  souls  and  wise 
They  wrought  their  evil  charms  in  vain. 


THE  COMING   OF  UAYO-WENT-HA.  33 

Or  night  or  day,  still  on — the  same 
Where'er  he  willed  ;  nor  turned  aside 

When,  barring  all  the  way  with  flame, 
He  far  the  Fiery  Serpents  spied  ; 

But  loud  he  cried,  as  drawing  near, 
"  Behind  you  look  ! !"  —  with  frightful  cry 

They  darted  back  their  heads  in  fear ; 
Swift  as  the  wind  he  passed  them  by. 

Exulting  o'er  the  Reptile  race, 
With  strength  he  strung  his  warrior-bow, 

Approaching  nigh  the  horrid  place, 
Though  fierce  they  hiss  and  writhe  and  glow; 

From  out  his  quiver's  full  supply 
He  forth  the  magic  arrows  drew; 

Them  one  by  one  he  straight  let  fly 
And  ;tll  the  flaming  serpents  slew. 

Touched  with  his  bark  the  shadowy  lands 
That  bound  the  terror-gloomed  abyss, 

Where  Chebia-bos  faithful  stands 
Between  that  fairer  world  and  this, 

The  passing  soul  to  lead  and  guide 
Far  journeying  unto  regions  blest — 

Beyond  the  realm  of  darkness  wide, 
The  Better  Land  of  peace  and  rest. 


34  THE  LEAGUE  OF  THE  IROQUOIS. 

Swift  over  crystal  seas  he  sped, 
Where  thick  is  strewn  the  rocky  floor 

With  bones  of  all  the  countless  dead 
That,  passing,  sank  to  rise  no  more  ; 

Though  threatening  far  the  billows  toss, 
His  Chee-maun  smoothes  each  angry  wave  ; 

The  good  alone  can  safely  cross 
The  floods  that  mortals  all  must  brave. 7 

Still  on — till  many  a  land  he  saw 
With  seas  and  mountains  looming  large  ; 

While  many  a  swarthy  brave  in  awe 
Gazed  wondering  on  that  fleeting  barge  ; 

And  still  away  it  tireless  bore 
On  stormy  waves  or  peaceful  deeps, 

Till  light  it  pressed  the  pebbly  shore 
Where  Onondaga  tranquil  sleeps. 

Mild  shone  the  kindling  summer  sun, 
Fell  soft  the  vernal  breezes  bland, 

The  tide  in  silver  ripples  run— 
Low  murmured,  lapsing  on  the  sand  ; 

More  radiant  afar  unrolled 
The  widening  sea  with  billowy  crest, 

As  shimmering  in  the  sunset  gold, 
Like  rubies  flashed  each  dimpled  crest. 


THE   COMING   O/-'  HAYO-WENT-1I A.  35 

Glad  verdured  smiled  the  wooded  hills 
With  many  a  grassy  intervale  ; 

Bright  interlaced  with  sparkling  rills 
And  crossed  by  moccasined  hunter's  trail ; 

The  home  of  many  a  swarthy  band 
Afar  the  greening  valley  showed  ; 

And  seeing  such  a  goodly  land, 
He,  Hayo-went-ha,  there  abode. 

His  Chee-maun,  blest  of  Manito, 
That  paddle-bearing  hand  had  none, 

But  swiftly  on  the  billows  drew 
With  him  who  lightly  willed  it  on, 

That  bore  him  from  the  Shining  Land  — • 
From  far  beyond  the  halls  of  day, 

Thence  drew  he  on  the  pebbly  sand 
And  hid  from  curious  eyes  away. 

And  braves  whose  sight  for  joy  was  dim 
Looked  on  him  with  a  glad  surprise  ; 

With  friendly  speech  they  welcomed  him  — 
The  noble  stranger,  good  and  wise. 

In  him  they  saw,  foretold  of  old 
In  fable,  oracle  and  song, 

The  chieftain  great,  the  warrior  bold, 

The  leader  they  had  waited  long. 
6 


36  THE  LEAGUE  OF  THE  IROQUOIS. 

He  that,  with  more  than  mortal  arm, 
With  more  than  mortal  strength  to  do, 

Would  shield  them  hence  from  every  harm, 
And  all  their  dreaded  foes  subdue. 

Who  calling  forth  each  scattered  band, 
Would  them  unite,  them  lead  and  teach, 

Until  unto  remotest  land 
The  greatness  of  their  fame  should  reach. 

Inwoven  with  its  destiny 
There  comes  a  great  Ideal  Man 

To  every  race  ;  whose  prophecy 
Afar  the  waiting  years  fore-ran. 

Such  to  the  wandering  tribes  was  he  ; 
The  long-expected  Fatherhood 

They  found  in  him  ;  the  friend  to  be  — 
The  bringer,  he,  of  every  good. 

If  in  the  cloudless  realms  of  light  — 
In  heights,  transcendent  heights  above, 

Is  One  whose  love  is  infinite, 
His  wisdom  boundless  as  his  love  ; 

Shall  he  not  all  his  children  heed, 
Still  mindful  of  their  lightest  quest  ? 

And  of  Himself,  as  is  their  need, 
Reveal  unto  the  lowliest  ? 


THE    WONDROUS    DEEDS 


He  that  would  lead  a  savage  Race 
Must  be  himself  a  savage  ;  nay  ! 

Be  on  the  war-path,  in  the  chase, 
In  all  things  mightier  than  they. 

What  knowledge,  virtue  else  hath  he. 
In  worthy  work — deeds  nobly  done — 

He  best  may  teach  men  quick  to  see 
The  meaning  of  a  battle  ivon. 


IV 


THE    WONDROUS    DEEDS. 


WITH  cheerful,  labor-bearing  hand 
And  with  an  art  unknown  before, 

Or  only  in  that  Better  Land 
Away  beyond  the  morning  shore, 

Where  rose  Yo-non-to  near  and  large 
With  Onoiidaga  murmuring  nigh, 

He  built  his  wigwam  on  the  marge, 
A  royal  wigwam,  wide  and  high. 

Far  in  the  fenland,  toiling  long, 
He  felled  the  larches  where  they  grew  ; 

Thence  with  a  willing  arm  and  strong 
He  forth  the  waiting  timbers  drew  ; 

And  them  upstanding,  straight  and  tall, 
Together  firm  inweaving,  he 

Wide  stretched  and  battened  over  all 
The  bark  of  many  a  birchen  tree. 


40  THE  LEAGUE  OF  THE  IROQUOIS. 

And  patient  wrought  he  many  a  day 
With  sinew-string  and  barky  thong  ; 

With  loop  and  seam  and  stitch  and  stay, 
Intent  to  make  it  firm  and  strong  ; 

Until  at  length,  his  labors  o'er, 
As  in  the  wigwams  whence  he  came, 

Bright  by  the  Onondaga  shore 
He  lit  the  Home-fire's  sacred  flame.  * 

Of  heart  of  ash-tree,  stout  and  true 
He  skillful  shaped  the  hunter-bow  ; 

He  wove  the  trusty  cord  that  drew, 
From  sinew  of  the  fallen  roe  ; 

With  far-resounding  blow  and  dint 
He  agate  from  the  quarry  broke, 

And  cunning  shaped  the  stubborn  flint 
With  steady  hand  and  patient  stroke. 

Of  rude  unshapeii  stones  he  brought 
From  out  the  deeply-cloven  ledge, 

He  many  a  rocky  missile  wrought 
With  glistening  point  and  keenest  edge ; 

He  fashioned  straight  the  sharpened  sh:ut. 
With  point  of  jasper  ;  to  the  string 

Made  fit  the  arrow's  shining  haft 
And  plumed  it  from  the  eagle's  wing. 


THE    WONDROUS  DEEDS.  41 

Then  from  his  Meda-sack  he  drew 
All  things  that  bear  a  secret  charm ; 

Of  all  their  potency  he  knew  — 
Their  power  to  harm,  to  shield  from  harm  ; 

Adorned  with  beak  and  claw  and  shell 
His  weapons  all ; — with  wizard  skill 

Wrought  into  each  the  magic  spell 
That  fateful  is  for  good  or  ill.  9 

Or  resting  from  his  ruder  toil, 
He  carved  and  shaped  the  pot  and  bowl, 

His  soup  to  warm,  his  meat  to  boil 
And  make  the  wigwam  comforts  whole  ; 

Or  forth  he  went  with  shaft  and  bow, 
And  many  a  hairy  skin  he  bore 

Of  Yek-wai  and  of  0-kwa-ho, 
And  softly  matted  all  the  floor. 

To  charm  and  guard  his  home  arid  place 
Its  barky  sides  he  pictured  fair 

With  to-tems  of  his  name  and  race  ; 10 
Where  fierce  the  Tortoise,  Wolf,  and  Bear 

High  on  its  matted  cover  shone  ; 
Each  type  and  symbol,  such  as  thence 

The  greatly  wise  may  draw  alone 
The  mystery  of  the  hidden  sense. 


42  THE  LEAGUE   OF   THE  IROQUOIS. 

Then  to  tlie  wild  lie  stalwart  bore 
His  mighty  bow  :  his  shaft  released, 

Swift-speeding,  lo  !  all  red  with  gore, 
Down-bellowing  fell  each  ugly  beast. 

Uno-wul  in  his  horny  shell, 
Low  on  the  sand  and  bleeding  lay  ; 

Great  Yek-wai,  mortal-wounded,  fell, 
The  lofty-antlered  Me-sha-way. 

When  Kwan-0-shaish-ta,  prowling  near, 
And  hissing  like  a  roaring  blast, 

Of  all  the  land  the  scourge  and  fear, 
With  scaly  feet  went  writhing  past, 

With  flaming  eye-balls  glaring  red, 
With  fiery  tongue  that  forked  drew, — • 

A  hideous  serpent,  huge  and  dread  ; 
His  shaft  the  frightful  monster  slew. u 

Still  far  his  pointed  missiles  sped  : 
The  Be-zhu  hushed  his  awful  roar, 

The  0-kwa-ho  the  Ka-ka  fed— 
His  hungry  howl  was  heard  no  more  ; 

Kwan-Run-ge-a-gosh  on  the  tide, 
Great  Ke-ka-daw-nong  on  the  sand, 

Him  yielded  all  their  life  and  died,— 
The  monsters  of  the  sea  and  land. 


THE    WONDROUS  DEEDS.  43 

Still  loud  liis  flinty  arrows  clank, 
Still  woke  the  shriek  of  dying  pain, 

Till  farthest  hill  and  valley  drank 
The  blood  of  many  a  dragon  slain  ; 

Each  ugly  beast,  with  cry  and  roar, 
That  crawled  or  ran  or  swam  or  flew, 

Fell  —  reeking  red  with  dying  gore  — 
Fell  darkly  pierced,  through  and  through. 

He  slew  the  frightful  Flying  Head, 1J 
The  foe  that  most  did  them  appall ; 

And  them  that  on  the  People  fed, 
The  Stonish  Giants,  fierce  and  tall  ; " 

Save  one  that  from  such  warrior  brave 
Swift  o'er  the  land  did  flee  away 

Far  to  the  south  ;  there  in  a  cave 
Deep  in  the  earth  is  hid  to-day. 

Wide  borne  as  on  the  winds  amain 
Went  tidings  of  his  name  and  fame  ; 

Till  from  the  wood  and  from  the  plain 
Afar  his  tawny  people  came 

With  hearts  elate,  intent  to  know 
The  growing  wonder, — learn  with  awe 

The  mystery  of  the  hunter-bow, 
And  how  to  hold,  and  how  to  draw. 
7 


44  THE  LEAGUE   OF  THE  IROQUOIS. 

And  stronger  waxed  the  hand  that  drew  : 
And  all  the  new-born  eagerness 

For  knowledge  unto  knowledge  grew  : — 
They  more  desire  who  more  possess. 

They  saw  in  arrow  speeding  straight. 
In  flinty  war-ax  winged  in  air. 

A  prophecy  of  nobler  fate, 
And  burned  all  noble  deeds  to  dare. 

From  Inigorio  the  Good, 
Gifts  brought  he  from  that  fairer  shore 

Unto  the  People  of  the  Wood  :  — 
Some  token  of  the  love  he  bore 

His  children  of  the  forest-wild  ; 
That  they  who  dwell  in  shadows  dim, 

Him  knowing  more  who  on  them  smiled. 
Would  more  delight  in  love  of  him. 

And  Hayo-went-ha,  toiling  long 
Beside  the  Onondaga  strand, 

With  patient  hand,  for  labor  strong, 
Clove  wide  the  forest,  cleared  the  land  ; 

And  pondering  wise  the  mystery, 
The  wondrous  secrets  unrevealed 

Of  life  that  is  —  of  life  to  be  — 
He  mellowed  all  the  waiting  field. 


THE    WONDROUS  DEEDS.  45 

Then  forth  the  sacred  parcel  drew  ; 
And  in  the  ground  he  careful  laid 

The  seeds  of  harvests  strange  and  new; 
And  when  had  sprung  each  shining  blade, 

He  round  it  pressed  the  mellow  loam  ; 
Not  doubting  when  the  days  were  full  — 

The  Moon  of  Falling  Leaves  had  come. 
To  see  the  ripened  miracle. 

And  tending  all  with  ready  arm, 
He  saw  the  summer  wax  and  wane ; 

To  pull  the  weedy  spears  that  harm, 
Or  water  oft  the  parched  plain, 

He  came  and  went  with  tireless  feet ; 
Hope-girded  all  the  field  he  trod, 

Till  glad  he  plucked  the  kernels  sweet 
From  Scho-ta-sarmin's  wondrous  pod. 

And  ruddy-ripe  o'er  all  the  land, 
Fair  in  the  autumn's  windy  days, 

He  saw  great  0-nust  lusty  stand ; 
He  rudely  stripped  the  mighty  Maize 

And  home  the  priceless  treasures  bore 
To  serve  the  stormy  winter's  need  ; 

Or  fairest  ears  did  careful  store  — 
The  future  harvest's  precious  seed. 


4:6  THE  LEAGUE  OF  THE  IROQUOIS. 

With  0-kwa-ho  from  farthest  wood, 
The  Me-sha-way  with  antlers  wide, 

The  Yek-wai  fierce,  so  fat  and  good, 
The  snowy  Wau-bos,  tender-eyed  ; 

With  many  a  hird  that  ran  or  flew,  — 
The  Ta-wis  and  the  Oghk-we-se, 

The  So-ha-ut,  of  sable  hue, 
The  Ka-ka  and  the  Kwa-ra-re  ; 

With  many  a  fowl  that  clanged  the  spring 
The  quacking  So-ra  from  the  brake, 

The  Wau-be-zee  with  downy  wing, 
The  honking  Wa-wa  from  the  lake  ; 

Great  Do-di-ah-to  from  the  deeps, 
The  Sa-wa  from  the  shallow  waves, 

Kwan-Run-ge-a-gosh —  he  that  leaps 
And  flounders  in  the  watery  caves. 


With  flesh  of  fish  and  bird  and  beast 
That  round  the  fire  hung  reeking  red, 

Of  savor  sweet,  a  royal  feast, 
With  many  a  pot  full-steaming,  spread 

He,  Hayo-went-ha,  good  and  wise, 
For  theirs,  his  loving  people's  sake  ; 

While  wonder  widened  in  their  eyes 
To  taste  great  0-nust's  smoking  cake. 


THE    WONDROUS  DEEDS.  47 

What  time  was  spread  the  banquet  there 
He  loosed  for  them  his  lofty  speech  ; 

He  wide  outspread  his  weapons  fair, — 
Told  of  the  make  and  use  of  each  ; 

And  of  the  Maize,  its  growth  and  worth ; 
The  treasures  of  the  fruitful  soil ; 

How  all  the  bounties  of  the  earth 
But  waited  on  the  hand  of  toil. 

Then  to  the  feast.    But  ere  he  drew 
Or  parted  bone  from  bone,  or  broke 

The  luscious  loaf,  or  tasted  stew, 
He,  rising,  to  his  people  spoke  :  — 
"  0  Brothers  !  the  Great  Spirit,  He 
These  presents  brings  to  those  who  wait 

To  do  his  will ;" — then  reverently 
Gave  thanks  to  Oway-neo  Great.14 

Then  unto  warrior,  chief  or  brave, 
Of  meat  or  bread  or  fowl  or  fish 

He,  as  their  rank,  in  order  gave, 
Refilling  oft  each  empty  dish  ; 

Or  from  the  embers,  glowing  hot, 
He  cake  of  0-nust  smoking  bore  ; 

Until  was  emptied  every  pot, 
Or  eating,  they  could  eat  no  more. 


48  THE  LEAGUE   OF  THE  IROQUOIS. 

The  banquet  done,  on  grassy  plain 
To  chant  and  song  the  dance  began  ; 

Each  artless  maid,  untaught  to  feign  — 
To  wait  the  proffered  hand  of  man, 

Unskilled  to  hide  what  Nature  gave , — 
The  heart  that  lit  her  virgin  breast, 

Herself  to  him,  the  favored  brave, 
She  proffered  with  her  modest  quest. 15 

In  beaded  costume  fine  arrayed, 
At  beat  of  drum  and  rattle-clang, 

Stood  forth  each  waiting  forest  maid, 
Quick  forth  each  youthful  warrior  sprang. 

Now  up,  now  down,  now  fast,  now  slow, 
With  measured  time  and  agile  pace, 

Their  lithe  forms  swaying  to  and  fro 
A  wonder  showed  of  supple  grace. 

And  so  he  taught  them  —  not  in  vain  — 
Of  every  good  of  labor  born, 

Till  shone  afar  each  hill  and  plain 
With  teeming  fields  of  growing  corn. ll1 

And  often  to  my  ear  there  come 
Glad  murmurs  of  the  after  years  — 

Of  happy  maidens  bearing  home 
The  burden  of  the  ripened  ears. 


HAYO-WENT-H  A'S 


JOURNEYING. 


Who  journeys  far  in  knowledge  grows, 
If  ivise,  to  wisdom  more  attains; 

The  more  the  outer  world  he  knows 
He  more  the  rarer  vision  gains  — 

The  knowledge  of  the  world  within; 
He  clearer  sees  with  deeper  ken 

That  human  souls  are  all  akin, 
Though  diverse  are  the  lives  of  men. 


HAYO-WENT-HA'S  JOURNEYING. 


His  Chee-maun,  blest  of  Manito, 
That  paddle-bearing  hand  had  none, 

Yet  swiftly  on  the  billows  drew 
With  him  who  lightly  willed  it  on  ; 

That  bore  him  from  the  halls  of  day 
Across  the  shining  seas  unknown, 

He  hid  from  curious  eyes  away- 
Kept  for  its  nobler  use  alone. 

Yet  oft,  when  in  the  rising  dawn 
He  saw  Yo-non-to  looming  large, 

That  bark,  from  secret  place  withdrawn, 
He  brought  unto  the  waiting  marge ; 

And  parting  from  the  kindling  shore 
As  with  his  quickening  spirit  rife, 

It  Hayo-went-ha  proudly  bore,  — 
Went  speeding  like  a  thing  of  life. 


52  THE  LEAGUE   OF  THE  IROQUOIS. 

On  Onondaga's  dimpled  breast, 
The  limpid  wells  of  Seneca, 

Cayuga's  floods  it  lightly  pressed  ; 
Where  Skaneateles'  ripples  play, 

Where  Canandaigua's  billows  toss, 
On  bright  Owasco,  blushing  blue, 

Oneida  fleeting  far  across,  — 
Still  on  that  magic  Chee-maun  drew. 

To  where  the  Mohawk's  rushing  tides 
By  vaster  woods  and  mountains  flee ; 

Or  where  the  wider  Hudson  glides, 
Goes  hastening  to  the  briny  sea ; 

Still  seeking  far,  or  strange  or  new, 
A  fairer  land,  a  brighter  bourne, 

Fled  wonder-winged  that  light  canoe 
Like  arrow  from  the  bow  of  Morn. 

And  swifter  than  that  barky  barge 
Went  tidings  of  his  name  and  fame ; 

And  to  the  Council  flaming  large, 
From  far  his  tawny  people  came 

With  hearts  elate,  intent  to  know 
The  growing  wonder ;  learn  with  awe 

The  mystery  of  the  hunter-bow, 
And  how  to  hold,  and  how  to  draw. 


HAYO-WENT-HA'S  JOURNEYING.  53 

Still  unto  wider  seas  away: 
Ontario's  swelling  tide  he  tracked  , 

Heard  great  Ki-ha-de's  "  E-wa-yea,"- 
Looked  down  the  thundering  cataract ; 

And  mute  with  reverence,  bowed  in  awe 
Before  that  wonder  strange  and  new, 

He  veiled  his  face,  as  there  he  saw 
The  form  of  Mighty  Manito. 

Confessing  so  the  human  need 
Of  love  that  is  to  worship  grown, 

Untaught  in  ritual  and  creed 
Him  to  behold,  the  Great  Unknown 

No  less  the  lowliest  adore  ; 
Who  most  on  Oway-neo  call 

Do  bear  the  likeness  more  and  more 
Of  Him,  the  Mighty  over  all. 

Still  on  —  away  :  more  noisy  break 
The  ripples  on  the  flowing  marge  ; 

Till  gleamed  his  glory-bearing  wake 
On  stormy  Erie,  foaming  large  ; 

On — past  each  headland,  island,  bay; — 
Wherever  rose  a  goodly  land 

With  dusky  warriors  painted  gay, 
He  drew  his  Chee-maun  on  the  strand. 


54  THE  LEAGUE   OF  THE  IBOQUOIS. 

He  shared  with  them  the  banquet  spread 
Around  the  camp-fire  blazing  high  ; 

He  far  for  them  his  arrows  sped, 
He  slew  the  monsters  prowling  nigh  ; 

On  him  — such  mighty  deeds  he  wrought- 
They  wondering  gazed  in  fear  and  awe  ; 

While  of  the  hunter-bow  he  taught 
Them  how  to  hold  and  how  to  draw. 


And  thence  again  went  speeding  on, 
Till  Gitche  Gumee's  silver  smiles 

Shone  beauteous  in  the  setting  sun, 
With  widening  shores  and  shining  isles. 

There,  where  the  angry  billows  roll, 
With  Art  that  time's  corroding  mocks, 

He  pictured  many  a  curious  scroll — 
His  to-tems — on  the  beetling  rocks. 


Vast  rumors  all  the  forest  stirred 
Of  Him,  —  and  still  the  wonder  ran ; 

He  far  the  welcome  greeting  heard — 
"Ta-ren-ya-wargo  !— Mighty  Man  ! !"  " 

And  though  a  race  untamed  and  rude, 
His  manly  speech,  with  wisdom  fraught, 

Allayed  the  Avhile  their  fiercer  mood  ; 
Himself,  in  teaching,  something  taught. 


HAYO-WENT-HA' s  JOURNEYING.  55 


Still  on  : — like  rising  morning  ray 
That  Chee-mauu  lit  the  parting  tide  ; 

Still  toward  the  sunset  land  away — 
On  Es-con-aw-baw  rolling  wide  ; 

Still  on  —  to  many  a  stranger  sea  :18 
Wherever  most  might  knowledge  loose 

Her  sacred  seal,  or  glory  be — 
To  widen  life  in  Love  and  Use. 


Thence,  on  the  billows  rolling  large, 
By  reaches  wide  of  wave  and  wood, 

Returning  where  by  pebbly  marge 
His  chosen  People  waiting  stood, — 

He,  coming  to  his  home  and  place, 
Trod  proud  the  Onondaga  shore  ; 

While  rarer  shone  his  Prophet-face 
By  wisdom's  sunlight  brightened  more. 

Again  with  mighty  speech  he  drew 
The  dusky  tribes,  to  teach  and  bless, 

Till  great  the  Onondaga  grew 
Renowned  for  every  nobleness  ; 

And  many  a  wandering  band  had  heard, 
And  many  a  warrior-chieftain  came 

To  hearken  to  his  wiser  word ; 
Still  bearing  wide  his  name  and  fame. 


56  THE  LEAGUE   OF   THE  IROQUOIS. 

They  glad  a  willing  ear  to  lend, 
He  taught  them  of  all  things  that  are  ; 

Of  life,  its  duties,  aim  and  end, 
And  of  the  Spirit  Land  afar ; 

The  land  beyond  the  starry  dome 
Or  where  the  sunset-glory  smiles ; 

Of  Oway-neo's  Shining  Home, 
Of  Inigorio's  Happy  Isles. 

And  not  unmindful  of  his  famo 
That  brightened  like  the  morning-rise, 

Him  Hayo-went-ha  they  did  name  — 
The  wisest  he,  among  the  wise. 19 

He,  growing,  not  alone  did  grow 
In  wisdom  ;  but  more  nobly  great, 

He  grew  in  love,  such  love  as  know 
Immortals  that  on  mortals  wait. 


Nor  less  revered  the  primal  law, 
Nor  less  the  human  want  confessed  ; 

But  felt  the  tender  yearnings  draw 
That  sway  and  bless  the  lowliest ; 

And  in  his  wigwam,  day  by  day, 
Sighed  o'er  the  Yong-we's  vacant  place  ; 

Or  from  his  deeper  thought  would  stray 
To  rarest  radiant  maiden  face. 


HAYO-WENT-HA'S  JOURNEYING.  57 


0  nobler  Soul !  that  glory  fires, 
High  summering  on  the  hills  of  fame, 

Within  a  deeper  breast  aspires 
And  glows  love's  rapt,  undying  flame  ; 

How  frequent  to  thy  vision  starts 
The  dearer  light  of  loving  eyes  ; 

Thou  hidest  in  thy  heart  of  hearts 
The  burning  wish  that  never  dies. 

For  dearer  than  all  precious  store, 
Or  pride  of  station,  name  or  race, 

Or  warrior-fame,  or  wisdom's  lore, 
Were  wifely  smile  and  matron  grace ; 

The  pretty  darling's  winsome  ways, 
The  pattering  of  the  tiny  feet, 

To  while  and  charm  the  lonely  days 
And  make  the  wigwam's  joy  complete. 

Though  greatly  wise  to  teach  and  bless, 
And  first  in  Council-place  to  move, 

Knew  he  the  yearning  need  no  less 
Of  gentle  Yong-we's  heart  of  love. 

More  sweet  the  home-delighting  tone 
Thau  far-resounding  glory-call ; 

0  Woman  !  thou  art  great  alone — 
Dost  reign  supremely  over  all. 


58  THE  LEAGUE   OF   THE  IROQUOIS. 

The  mighty  yield  alone  to  thee, 
Their  proudest  gifts  on  beauty  wait ; 

And  Oway-neo's  Prophet  he — 
He,  Hayo-went-ha  good  and  great, 

Would  woo  and  wed  a  mortal  bride  ; 20 
Low  in  a  world  with  sorrow  rife 

Would  all  the  after  years  abide ;  — 
Would  dwell  content  in  lowly  life. 

0  Human  Heart !  —  the  heart  Divine 
Too  hath  its  anguish  to  confess  ; 

Yon  radiant  sun  must  burn  to  shine  ; 
And  in  the  heavenly  realms  no  less 

Some  loss  the  price  of  every  gain  ; 
Clothed  with  this  frailer  being,  so 

To  medicine  our  mortal  pain, 
Immortals  taste  of  mortal  woe. 


SONG 


- — OF — 


HAYO-WENT-HA 


What  time  the  Wa-wa's  honking  dang 
Betokened  glad  the  quickened  year, 

The  mating  birds  their  carols  sang, 
Far  through  the  forest  ringing  clear;  — 

Oft  he  that  bore  a  prophet -heart , 
When  lore  had  touched  its  deeper  spring, 

Some  tender  lay,  with  simple  art, 
Unto  his  homely  pipe  would  sing. 


And  I —  0  unforgotten  days  ! — 
Will  bring  to  charm  my  deeper  pain 

Some  fragment  of  the  olden  lays:  — 
Will  wake  that  woodland  lute  again. 


VI 


SONG    OF    HAYO-WENT-HA, 

HE  is  greatest  who  is  wisest. 

Love  replies : 
Not  enough  for  Hayo-went-ha 

To  be  wise  ; 
What  by  precept,  0  my  People  ! 

I  can  give, 

Have  I  taught  you  ;  by  example 
Would  I  teach  you  how  to  live. 

He  that  wisest  is  is  greatest : 

Yet  on  all, 
Howsoever  high  or  lowly, 

Sorrows  fall ; 
To  be  great  is  to  be  lonely ; 

Where  is  she, 

Lovely  Kax-a,  beauteous  maiden — 
Hayo-went-ha's  bride  to  be  ? 


62  THE  LEAGUE  OF  THE  IBOQUOIS. 

I  have  heard  him — Mud-je-kee-wis — 

When  lie  came 
From  the  mighty  Es-con-aw-baw 

Of  the  plain, 
Telling  of  the  brave  Dacotah's 

Daughters  fair ; 

And  methought — does  she,  the  beauteous, 
Hayo-went-ha's,  wander  there  ? 

Nor  less  famed  is  the  Ojib-w;iy 

Maiden,  she 
Dwelling  by  the  Gitche  Gumee's 

Farthest  sea. 
But  1  mind  me,  all  things  distant 

Fairer  show ; 

Lofty  Yo-nond's  glittering  summit 
Nearer  seen,  is  only  snow. 

Though  the  far-off  beauty  beckons 

Like  a  star, 
Oft  we  miss  the  good  that  might  be, 

Following  far  ; 
Oft  the  flower  sweet  opening  for  us 

Loving  eyes, 

All  unseen,  though  close  beside  us, 
Fragrance-laden  blooms  and  dies. 


SONG  OF  HAYO-WENT-HA.  63 

Nor  what  time  unto  the  sunset 

Land  I  strayed, 
Saw  I  ever  by  the  wigwam's 

Mat  and  shade, 
Maid,  that  bearing  meek  and  fitting 

Maiden's  part, 

Would — the  bride  of  Hayo-went-ha— 
Gladden  more  his  home  and  heart. 


What  is  to  the  meadow  Seg-wun's 

Warmth  and  light, 
Fair  Wo-ne-da  softly  shining, 

To  the  night, 
Would  the  cheerful  smiles  of  Yong-we 

Be — mine  own  ! 

To  the  heart  of  Hayo-went-ha — 
To  his  wigwam  waiting  lone. 

What  unto  the  bow  that  draws  it 

Is  the  string, 
String  and  bow  unto  the  arrow — 

Everything ; 
What  is  each  unto  the  other, 

Such  are  ye, 

Shaped  and  wrought,  0  Man  and  Woman  ! 
To  one  use  and  destiny. 


64  THE  LEAGUE  OF  THE  IROQUOIS. 


Oway-neo,  Thou  the  Mighty 

High  above, 
Hayo-went-ha's  hope  is  only 

In  thy  love ; 
Thou  alone  canst  yield  the  dear  one 

To  his  sight ; 

Let  thy  wiser  spirit  lead  him  — 
Lead  his  wandering  steps  aright. 

Now  I  mind  me  of  a  maiden, — 

So  they  say, 
Where  Tio-to  softly  murmurs 

All  the  day 
To  the  sighing,  sad  Ogh-ne-ta 

Greening  there, 

Dwells  the  beauteous  Kax-aa, — she 
Nyah-tah-wanta,  good  and  fair. 

Oh  how  oft  some  chiefest  blessing 

We  go  by, 
Never  even  of  it  dreaming, 

Though  so  nigh; 
Till  some  happy  hour  reveals  it, 

When  we  say  — 

Not— "Thou  Oway-neo  blessed  !" 
Only  this — "A  happy  day." 


SONG  OF  HAYO-WENT-HA.  65 

In  the  foregone  time  of  fasting, " 

Whence  I  drew 
Smile  and  blessing  of  the  mighty 

Manito, 
With  the  wisdom  of  the  Medas 

Did  I  see 

Far  the  vision  of  the  future  — 
Vision  of  the  days  to  he. 

See  in  mystic  light  that  brightened 

All  the  land, 
Every  people,  tribe  and  nation, 

Clan  and  band, 
That  far  Council-fires  should  beacon, 

Not  in  vain  ; 

Painted  warriors,  armed  and  girded,  — 
Mighty  chieftains,  battle-slain. 

And  above  the  cloud  and  darkness, 

Clang  of  War, 
Saw  I  one  serenely  smiling 

Like  a  star ; 
And  the  more  that  dream  I  ponder, 

More,  meseems, 
She,  Ti-o-to's  lowly  maiden, 
Like  that  maiden  of  my  dreams. 


THE  LEAGUE  OF  THE  IROQUOIS. 

Once  again,  as  in  the  vision 

Her  I  see 
Bearing  all  love's  toil  and  labor 

Cheerfully ; 
Break  the  sticks  and  patient  bear  them 

From  the  wood ; 

Build  the  fire,  make  bright  the  wigwam, 
As  the  forest-maiden  should. 22 


Or  when  Seg-wun  from  the  South-land 

Far  had  come, 
Tending  glad  the  corn  upspringing, 

Stir  the  loam ; 
Or  in  days  the  Falling-leaf  Moon 

More  endears, 

Pluck  the  mighty  Maize  at  harvest — 
Bearing  home  the  ripened  ears. 


And  the  maid,  Nyah-tah-wanta, 

Dwelling  nigh 
Where  Ti-o-to's  billows,  chafing, 

Moan  and  sigh,  — 
She  the  bride  of  Hayo-went-ha  ?  — 

Who  may  tell  ? 
She  is  of  my  noble  People  — 
ONGUE  HONWE —  that  is  well.  23 


SONG  OF  HAYO-WENT-HA.  67 

And  I  mind  me  —  I  remember 

It  was  she 
Wove  the  royal  robe  and  mantle, 

All  for  me  ; 
And  with  sign,  device  and  symbol 

Wove  it  fair, 

With  the  to-tems  of  my  Nation— 
With  the  Tortoise,  Wolf  and  Bear. 

And  I  think  me  of  the  costly 

Wampum -band ; 
Of  the  snowy  leggins,  beaded 

By  her  hand ; 
Of  the  moccasins  in  whose  stitch  is 

Many  a  gem  ; 

Strange — so  often  times  to  see  them, — 
Only  now  the  glittering  hem. 

* 
And  a  marvel  more  I  ponder — 

So  I  deem ; 
As  if  still  her  gentle  fingers 

Pressed  the  seam. 
Many  a  wonder  ! — can  it  be  so  ? 

I  have  thought 
Something  from  the  hand  still  lingers 

In  the  work  the  hand  has  wrought. 
10 


68  THE  LEAGUE  OF  THE  IROQUOIS. 

As  we  feel  the  coming  sorrow 

Deepen  down, 
•  Mark  with  tears  the  boding  shadow 

Fateful  frown, 
Haply  so  a  joy  may  brighten 

Far  away, 

Like  the  faint  auroral  shining 
Of  the  yet  unrisen  day. 

And  is  this  exultant,  throbbing, 

Glad  unrest, 
All  this  tumult  new  of  passion 

In  my  breast, 
The  faint  motions  of  a  rapture 

Yet  unborn  ? 

But  the  dawn  with  eagle-pinion 
That  so  swift  outruns  the  morn  ? 

He,  Kee-way-din,  softly  whispers, 

Wandering  free, 
"Sweet  the  maid  Nyah-tah-wanta'1 

Unto  me  ; 
And  the  charming  maid  to  morrow 

Will  I  see. 

Well,  if  she  be  Hayo-went-ha's  ;  — 
If  she  be  not — let  it  be. 


NYAH-TAH-WANTA. 


0  Daughter  of  the  paler-face, 
With  beauty  garmented  !  Not  less 

The  damsel  of  the  Dusky  Race 
Is  clothed  upon  iviih  loveliness. 

Nor  unadorned  of  simple  Art, 
That  heightens  more  each  virgin  charm; 

Nor  less  her  breast,  until  Woman's  heart 
Yearns,  —  throbbing  ivith  love's  pulses  warm. 


VII 


NYAH-TAH-WANTA. 


NYAH-TAH-WANTA — fair  and  good 
Was  she,  the  warrior-chieftain's  child ; 

And  never  maiden  of  the  wood 
Did  brighten  more  the  forest  wild ; 

None  bear  the  charms  more  modestly 
Of  sweetly-budding  womanhood, 

Nor  worthier  of  love  than  she, 
Child  of  the  bold,  heroic  blood. 


As  one  bereft  when  years  were  few, 
And  taught  a  widowed  knee  to  climb, 

She  thoughtful-wise  and  pensive  grew, 
As  shadow  pf  a  sorrow-time 

From  out  the  unremembered  years, 
Or  wraith  of  love's  forgotten  kiss, 

Still  burdened  with  unfallen  tears 
Those  lids  of  liquid  tenderness. 


72  THE  LEAGUE  OF  THE  IROQUOIS. 

Her  voice  was  like  the  wooing  Spring, 
Her  cheek  like  Autumn's  bronzed  light ; 

Her  tresses  like  the  Raven's  wing, 
Her  eyes  were  like  the  brooding  night 

With  0-jis-hon-da  shining  through,  — 
Some  brightness  that  you  might  not  guess  ; 

For  when  you  saw  you  only  knew 
You  saw  a  brimming  tenderness. 

0  light  in  shade  !  0  land  of  dreams  ! 
Deep  in  those  darkened  depths  impearled, 

As  when  Wo-ne-da's  silver  beams 
Soft-mantle  the  nocturnal  world. 

No  garden  lilies  undefiled, 
No  sweets  their  fragrance  may  possess, 

Surpass  the  roses  of  the  wild, 
The  beauty  of  the  wilderness. 24 

Nor  in  all  outward  charms  alone 
She  grew,  as  grows  the  woodland  flower ; 
Though  nurtured  in  the  forest  lone, 

And  with  the  forest-maiden's  dower 

* 

Of  ruder  toil  and  sorest  need, 
So  schooled  was  she  to  do  and  bear, 

That  her  to  know,  you  knew  indeed 
That  one  so  good  must  needs  be  fair. 


NYAH-TAH-WANTA.  73 


In  snowy  kirtle  tasseled  gay, 
And  furry  mantle  quilled  and  dyed, 

Her  hand  had  wrought  so  cunningly 
From  many  a  Jit-sho's  furry  hide  ; 

In  scarlet  leggins  fringed  with  blue, 
In  painted  moccasins  beaded  grand, 

You  would  have  thought  her — as  was  true- 
The  comeliest  maid  in  all  the  land. 


Though  well  she  knew  to  plait  and  braid, 
And  skilled  to  make  or  cloak  or  gown, 

The  richest  robe  that  her  arrayed, 
The  beauty  that  is  beauty's  crown, 

That  does  the  fairest  best  adorn, 
Was  hers  in  wigwam-tented  wood : 

The  common  virtues — lowly  born, 
Of  simple,  modest  maidenhood. 

When  on  the  greening  wild  away 
Her  lightsome  footsteps  flitted  free, 

She  seemed  a  joyous  forest-fay  — 
A  dusky  woodhmd-fairy  she ; 

And  more  the  while  the  happy  maid, 
When  gladness  woke  her  simple  art, 

Went  singing  through  the  windy  glade 
The  songs  that  fluttered  at  her  heart. 


74:  THE  LEAGUE  OF  THE  IROQUOIS. 

What  time  her  virgin  footsteps  pressed 
The  border-land  of  Womanhood, 

When  wakes  a  longing  in  the  breast, 
When  stirs  a  spring-tide  in  the  blood, — 

When  grace  beyond  all  manly  grace 
Unto  the  maid  the  lover  shows, 

While  unto  him  the  maiden-face 
With  splendor  passing  beauty  glows ; 

She  that  the  Meda's  secrets  knew 
Of  mystic  dance  and  chant  and  song, 

Could  presage  read  in  bird  that  fleAV, 
Knew  all  the  use  of  fasting  long, — 

Invoking  so,  or  strong  or  weak, 
Powers  that  the  will  of  man  await, 

As  youth  and  maiden  may,  did  seek 
Some  token  of  her  happier  fate. 25 

And  of  th'at  dream  ? — it  is  not  new, — 
The  charm  all  maiden  hearts  do  own ; 

The  presence  on  her  vision  grew 
Of  one,  nor  haply  all  unknown  ; 

A  warrior-chieftain  ;  on  his  breast 
He  proud  a  royal  mantle  wore  ; 

Well  pleased  she  saw  the  shining  vest, 
But  nobleness  enrobed  him'  more. 


NYAH-TAH-WANTA.  75 

Bright  in  the  sunset's  fading  flame 
Stood  pictured  on  the  farthest  sky, 

With  to-tems  of  his  race  and  name, 
A  shining  wigwam,  wide  and  high  ; 

And  on  its  glowing  sides  were  shown 
All  birds  and  beasts  —  all  symbols  whence 

The  greatly  wise  may  draw  alone 
The  mystery  of  the  hidden  sense. 

She  felt  the  tender  yearnings  draw 
That  know  nor  color,  clime  nor  race  ; 

And  from  the  parted  door  she  saw 
Love  beckon  from  her  waiting-place  ; 26 

Oh  !  sweetly  shone  the  couch  and  mat, 
For  such  a  manly  form  was  there  ; 

And  in  the  fire-light,  smiling,  sat 
A  little  maid,  —  and  all  was  fair. 


And  still  the  years  new  beauty  lent : 
In  cheerful  toil  that  glad  beguiled 

Her  maiden  cares,  she  came  and  went, 
Far-brightening  all  the  lonely  wild  ; 

Her  sire,  as  she  more  lovely  grew, 
Oft  musing  with  a  father's  pride, 

Said  —  "He  must  noble  be  and  true 

Who  seeks  my  darling  for  his  bride." 
11 


76  THE  LEAGUE  OF  THE  IROQUOIS. 

And  many  a  youthful  warrior,  gay 
In  paint  and  plumes,  her  hand  had  sought, 

From  lodge  and  wigwam  far  away  ; 
As  braves  that  come  to  woo,  they  brought 

Of  furry  skins  and  wampum-braid, 
The  costly  gifts  of  forest-art ; 

Such  as  might  win  the  forest-maid  — 
Might  charm  and  win  the  maiden  heart. 

But  not  for  him  from  stranger  land 
Did  she  the  wedding  feast  prepare  ; 

Oh  !  not  for  him  the  maiden  hand 
Her  raven  tresses  braided  fair ; 

The  while  she  crooned  this  little  stave, 
Crooned  to  her  waiting  heart,  meseemed  : 

"  Oh,  he  is  bold  !  Oh,  he  is  brave  ! 
But  not  the  Mighty  that  I  dreamed.1' 

And  oft  Tio-to's  breast  would  show 
Her  barky  barge  that  lightly  pressed  ; 

While  from  the  glassy  pool  below 
She  drew  0-nox-a's  scaly  breast ; 

Or  patient  fixed  the  tempting  bait, 
Or  watched  the  Sah-wa  softly  draw, 

Or  cast  the  deeper  line  to  wait 
Great  Do-di-ah-to's  hungry  jaw. 


NYAH-TAH-WANTA.  77 

And  oft  when  Seg-wun  bright  again 
From  far  with  shining  feet  had  come, 

She  took  great  0-nust's  precious  grain 
And  hid  it  in  the  fruitful  loam  ; 

Made  mellow  round  the  rising  spears, 
Or  watered  oft  each  springing  blade, 

Or  joyful  plucked  the  luscious  ears, 
As  meet  and  fit  for  Indian  inaid. 27 


Or  when  the  Falling-leaf  Moon  hung 
Far-silvering  o'er  the  rustling  reeds, 

What  time  the  Blackbird  blithely  sung, 
Elate  of  all  the  ripened  seeds  , 

Where  bending  many  a  snowy  head 
Afar  the  wild  rice  waving  stood, 

She  in  her  Chee-maun  lightly  sped, — 
Gathered  its  kernels  ripe  and  good. 28 

And  oft  from  ruder  labor  freed, 
With  glowing  cheek  and  eager  tread 

She  wandered  o'er  the  grassy  mead 
To  pick  the  berries  ripe  and  red ; 

Or  through  the  brightening  woods  would  roam, 
When  woke  the  autumn's  windy  lays  ; 

From  thence  the  brown  nuts  bearing  home 
She  hoarded  for  the  wintry  days. 


78  THE  LEAGUE   OF  THE  IBOQU01S. 

Or  patient  wrought  with  pride  and  skill 
Her  moccasins  of  rare  design  ; 

With  bead  of  shell  and  hedge-hog  quill 
Her  fawn-skin  kirtle  broidered  fine  ; 

That  at  the  dance  or  Council-place 
She  too  might  stand  all  fair  arrayed, 

With  heightened  beauty's  charm  and  grace  ; 
As  best  befits  the  Indian  maid. 

Or  when  from  far  with  shaft  and  bow, 
From  wood  and  wild,  the  hunters  came 

With  Me-sha-way  and  0-kwa-ho, 
A-meek  and  Yek-wai  —  noblest  game, 

With  ready  hand  and  maiden  pride 
She  deftly  stripped  each  ugly  beast 

Of  furry  skin  or  hairy  hide, 
Cooked  fit  the  meat,  and  spread  the  feast. 

What  time,  on  many  a  darkened  day, 
The  braves  and  warriors,  glory-crowned, 

Came  bleeding  from  the  battle-fray, 
Her  gentle  fingers  dressed  the  wound  ; 

With  tender  care  and  cheerful  smile 
She  charmed  each  aching  bruise,  nor  vain 

Out-watched  the  paling  stars,  the  while 
She  smoothed  and  soothed  the  couch  of  pain. 


NYAH-TAH-WANTA.  79 

If  by  her  side,  with  fear  and  pain 
She  saw  at  whiles  pale  Famine  stand, 

When  failed  the  harvest-promised  grain, 
Her  field  laid  waste  by  hostile  band,  — 

She  careful  eked  the  failing  store 
In  ways  but  woman  can  devise  ; 

With  patient  trust  her  hunger  bore 
And  all  heroic  sacrifice. M 

Above  the  spring-time  floods  that  rise, 
The  Musk-rat  builds  his  winter  tent ; 

So  to  the  forest-maiden's  eyes 
And  mind  another  sense  is  lent ; 

To  see  beyond  each  fleeting  form, 
Of  all  the  changeful  seasons  send, 

In  wind  and  rain,  in  cloud  and  storm, 
What  these  may  omen  and  portend. 

Though  all  unlearned  in  lettered  lore, 
She  all  the  forest  secrets  knew  ; 

Of  every  beast  the  cry  and  roar, 
The  call  of  every  bird  that  flew ; 

She  heard  anon,  without  affright, 
The  Be-zhu's  mimic  scream  of  woe ; 

The  Jit-sho  yelping  through  the  night, 
The  fiercely-howling  0-kwa-ho. 


80  THE  LEAGUE  OF  THE  IBOQU01S. 

The  Wa-wa  honking  on  the  lake, 
Far  on  the  wave  the  lonely  Mahng, 

The  So-ra  quacking  in  the  brake, 
The  stormy  Key-oshk's  noisy  clang  ; 

The  Wa-won-ais-se's  plaint  and  cry, 
The  great  War-Ke-neiTs  screech  and  squall, 

0-me-me's  plaintive  moan  and  sigh, 
The  Ko-ko-ko-ho's  lonely  call. 

Knew  every  bush  and  shrub  and  tree, 
The  flowers  that  blossomed  in  the  wood  ; 

All  herbs,  and  what  their  potency, 
And  which  was  ill  and  which  was  good  ; 

A  part  of  all  she  saw  so  near, 
In  Nature's  heart  so  immanent, 

Unto  her  finer  sense  and  ear 
All  things  their  deeper  meaning  lent. 

Does  He,  whose  mighty  power  bestows 
The  life  of  all,  great  Wa-zha-wand, 

Crown  with  his  larger  bounty,  those-, 
From  these  withhold  with  stinted  hand,— 

The  tribes  and  races  of  mankind  ? 
Bear  one  a  blessing,  one  a  curse  ? 

Or  only  do  we  fail  to  find 
The  measure  meet  for  gifts  diverse  ? 30 


NYAH-TAH-WANTA.  81 

The  greater  dole  might  him  upbraid 
For  largess  that  brings  duller  sense  ; 

For  every  gain  a  price  is  paid, 
For  every  loss  some  recompense  ; 

He  that  with  visioned  eye  may  see 
The  shadow  of  a  darker  fate, 

Fore-kens  the  brighter  days  to  be 
No  less, —  and  is  content  to  wait. 

And  many  a  suitor  bold  and  free 
Had  with  the  summers  come  and  gone  ; 

She  only  said  —  "It  is  not  He  ;" — 
Still  patient  waited  for  HER  OWN  ; 

Nor  somber  sat  as  one  forlorn, 
Nor  gave  to  pining  sorrow  loose  ; 

For  what  have  they  of  cause  to  mourn 
Whose  days  are  girt  with  love  and  use  ? 

Her  hands  were  quick  to  gentle  deeds, 
She  tended  kind  her  failing  sire  ; 

She  minded  all  his  little  needs, 
She  brought  the  sticks,  she  built  the  fire, 

She  cooked  his  meat,  she  made  him  warm, 
On  her  his  tottering  footsteps  leant ; 31 

For  him  she  braved  the  raging  storm 
And  sweetened  all  with  meek  content. 


82  THE  LEAGUE  OF  THE  IEOQUOIS. 

0  gentle  Heart !  though  unconfessed, 
By  purest  maiden  passion  stirred, 

How  had  it  charmed  that  yearning  breast  - 
The  little  song  that  late  I  heard  ! 

That  eye  had  lit  more  softly  warm, 
That  cheek  had  owned  a  deeper  glow, 

That  beauteous,  lithesome  maiden  form 
Had  trembled  like  the  frightened  roe. 

Nor  is  there  maid,  methinks,  so  cold, 
If  she  should  know  at  dawning  light, 

That  ere  Wo-ne-da's  silver  fold 
Shall  press  Yo-non-to's  breast  to-night, 

Some  wooer  great  would  come  to  woo, 
That  she,  perchance,  would  be  his  bride, 

But  would  her  bosom  nutter  too  — 
Her  glowing  cheek  blush,  crimson  dyed. 


THE    WOOING 


12 


Oh!  who  with  tongue  so  eloquent 
To  paint  the  rapture  lore  distills, 

That  Jills  the  spirit's  grosser  tent 
With  breath  from  the  Immortal  Hills  ? 

0  Passion  !  —  that  is  all  replete 
With  deepest  bliss,  with  direst  woe, 

Thy  thrall,  thy  thrill,  thy  madness  sweet, 
The  heart  must,  throbbing,  feel  to  know. 


VIII 


THE    WOOING. 

MOKE  beauteous  in  the  dawning  light 
Shone  Hayo-went-ha's  prophet-face, 

As  smile  of  Oway-neo  bright 
Had  lit  anew  each  manly  grace  : 

His  brow  of  worthier  purpose  showed, 
His  eye  of  feeling's  kindling  ray  ; 

His  very  step,  as  forth  he  strode, 
Was  lighter  than  of  yesterday. 

His  every  care,  his  every  thought, 
As  in  the  greatening  morn  he  stood, 

Was  with  Nyah-tah-wanta  fraught, 
The  flower  of  forest-maidenhood. 

How  much  may  yearning  wish  impart 
Of  hopes  that  after-harvests  glean  ; 

And  much  I  trow  his  manly  heart 
Did  to  that  gentle  damsel  lean. 


86  THE  LEAGUE  OF  THE  IROQUOIS. 

In  royal  mantle  rich  arrayed,32 
That  heightened  more  his  manly  air, 

That  showed,  in  many  a  to-tem  braid 
Inwove,  the  Tortoise,  Wolf  and  Bear  ; 

In  moccasins  with  the  marvelous  hem, 
In  snowy  leggins  beaded  grand, 

En  wrought  with  many  a  curious  gem, 
He  trod  the  Onondaga  strand. 

And  forth  that  wonder-built  canoe 
From  out  its  secret  place  he  brought, 

Unto  the  pebbly  marge  he  drew  — 
The  bark  by  mystic  fingers  wrought ; 

That,  as  of  old,  did  gaily  ride, 
The  rippled  wells,  nor  overworn, 

Though  it  had  crossed  the  swelling  tide 
From  Isles  beyond  the  Gates  of  Morn. 

As  though  it  felt  love's  eager  haste, 
Its  barky  .sides  more  lightly  pressed, 

The  flashing  waves  more  fleetly  traced, 
To  bear  him  on  his  loving  quest ; 

To  far  Ti-o-to  bear  him  hence 
Swift  as  the  Wa-wa1s  wing  and  light, 

Before  the  westering  sun  should  glance 
His  arrows  from  the  rocky  height ;  — • 


THE    WOOING.  87 

To  where  beside  the  emerald  flood, 
And  radiant  as  the  rising  morn, 

Stood  beauteous  in  her  maidenhood, 
Stood  mid  the  summer's  springing  corn 

The  loveliest  of  forest  maids  ; 
To  careful  pluck  the  weedy  spears, 

Make  mellow  round  the  rising  blades  ; 
Glad  counting  on  the  ripened  ears. 

As  frequent  to  each  tender  breast, 
Or  whence  or  wherefore  all  unknown, 

Will  come  a  trouble  and  unrest, 
A  tearful  sorrow,  not  its  own, — 

So  oft  above  or  thought  or  will 
May  soar  the  spirit  glad  and  ga}r, 

Its  pulses  feel  the  joyous  thrill 
Of  other  heart-beat  far  away. 

And  to  the  maiden  where  she  stood, 
The  flitting  zephyr's  soft  caress, 

The  dewy,  newly-burgeoned  wood 
Seemed  burdened  with  a  secret  bliss  ; 

The  tiny  throats  that  warbling  sang, 
More  thrilling  melody  expressed  ; 

Nor  knew  she,  while  their  matins  rang, 
The  deeper  chord  was  in  her  breast. 


88  THE  LEAGUE  OF  THE  IROQUOIS. 

To  grow  great  0-nust's  luscious  grain, 
The  care  and  labor  all  her  own, 

With  but  the  love  to  soothe  her  pain, 
Of  him  her  sire,  so  feeble  grown  ; 

If  lonely  oft  with  aching  breast 
Her  lowly  couch  she  weary  sought, 

The  tired  limbs  more  sweetly  rest 
In  slumber  whence  new  strength  is  wrought. 

Her  might  no  evil  omen  dread 
Nor  joy-betokening  prophecy 

Lure  from  the  path  where  duty  led 
Her  willing  footstep's  day  by  day  ; 

Still  round  the  hills  upspringing  green 
She  softly  drew  the  mellow  loam  ; 

While  brightened  more  the  morning  sheen, 
The  morning  sun  still  higher  clomb. 

And  still  her  patient  hand  she  plied  ; 
Nor  left  her  maiden-toil  to  make 

Her  face  more  seemly  when  she  spied 
That  stranger  Chee-maun  on  the  lake  ; 

Nor  yet  incurious,  bending  low, 
Nor  quite  suppressed  a  chastened  eye  ; 

The  while  her  cheek  a  warmer  glow 
Emmantled  fair,  she  knew  not  why. 


THE    WOOING.  89 

And  Hayo-went-ha,  ere  lie  drew 
That  magic  Ghee-maun  on  the  strand, 

When  rose  the  wigwam  full  to  view 
And  all  the  love-enchanted  land, 

To  see  the  maiden  bending  there 
Her  greening  corn  to  tend  and  keep, 

To  mark  the  damsel's  frugal  care, 
His  heart  did  in  his  bosom  leap. 

And  when  her  lowly  door  beside 
She  looked  on  him  who  waiting  stood 

With  noble  look  of  manly  pride, 
Him,  Hayo-went-ha,  great  and  good, — 

She  felt  again  the  yearnings  draw  ; 
And  in  the  sunset's  failing  gleam 

She  knew  the  chieftain-form  she  saw 
Was  he,  —  the  mighty  of  her  dream. 

And  seeing  near  the  mantle  rare, 
The  mantle  she  had  wrought  for  him, 

The  beauty  she  had  woven  there, 
The  moccasins  with  the  beaded  hem, — 

The  woman  in  her  bosom  stirred 
More  than  the  simple  maiden  guessed ; 

And  of  her  joy  in  song  of  bird 
Her  heart  the  secret  half  confessed. 


90  THE  LEAGUE  OF  THE  IROQUOIS. 

If  warmer  lit  with  feeling's  grace 
His  manly  cheek,  when  to  his  gaze 

From  far  the  beauteous  maiden  face 
Looked  on  him  from  the  growing  maize  — 

What  wonder  he,  though  calm  and  wise, 
Should  feel  the  old  world  dance  and  swim 

When  on  him  bent  those  loveful  eyes 
That,  more  than  greeting,  welcomed  him.33 

The  while  her  sire  the  freedom  gave 
Of  waiting  wigwam's  mat  and  shade, 

As  warrior  brave  to  warrior  brave, 
Apart  and  silent  sat  the  maid  ; 

Or  lightly  tripped  unto  the  lake 
To  bring  him  drink  with  willing  feet, 

Or  glad,  when  he  his  fast  would  break, 
She  modest  brought  and  gave  him  meat. 

He  from  the  bowl  his  thirst  allayed, 
Nor  with  vain  thanks  did  her  address  ; 

But  sitting  mute  his  hunger  stayed, 
And  rested  of  his  weariness  ; 

Till  far  and  faint  alone  was  heard 
The  home-wind  sighing  through  the  land, 

The  voice  of  night-awakened  bird, 
And  waves  low-lapsing  on  the  sand. 


THE    WOOING.  91 

Then  forth  the  aged  chief  he  drew 
In  unforgotten  tales,  to  tell 

Of  warrior  deeds  when  days  were  few, 
Of  braves  that  in  the  battle  fell ; 

And  still,  as  one  with  gifted  speech 
The  fit  occasion  waits,  forbore 

Untimely  thence  to  bring,  in  breach 
Of  courtesy,  his  fairer  lore. 

Yet  beauty  speaks  through  charm  and  grace 
In  tongue  that  silence  cannot  bind  ; 

So  brightly  shone  his  prophet-face 
With  thoughts  that  lit  his  wiser  mind  ; 

And  when  the  shadows  fell  that  make 
The  cheerful  home-fire  brighten  more, 

His  lips  he  loosed ;  and  as  he  spake 
Night,  listening  rapt,  contented  wore. 

He  told  in  lofty  speech  and  wise 
Of  other  wigwams  far  away  ; 

Of  fairer  shores  that  loom  and  rise 
Beyond  the  utmost  bound  of  day  ; 

Of  hunter-homes,  of  tribe  and  band 
Where  more  than  sunset  glory  smile^ ; 

Of  Oway-neo's  Shining  Land, 

Of  Inigorio's  Happy  Isles. 
13 


92  THE  LEAGUE   OF  THE  1KOQUOIS. 

Of  all  the  gifts  that  thence  he  brought, 
Of  all  the  labors  of  his  hand  ; 

How  he  the  hunter-bow  had  wrought, 
Had  slain  the  monsters  of  the  land  ; 

How  every  beast  with  cry  and  roar, 
That  crawled  or  ran  or  swam  or  flew, 

Fell  reeking  red  with  dying  gore  — 
Fell  pierced  and  wounded  through  and  through. 

And  of  that  magic-built  canoe, 
Nor  paddle  had,  nor  need  of  one  ; 

Of  wider  waves  that  charmed  and  drew 
That  mystic  Chee-maun — on,  and  on. 

Of  great  Ki-ha-de's  E-wa-yea, 
Of  farther  tides  that  leap  and  run  ; 

Of  Gitche  Grumee  far  away,   ~ 
And  seas  beyond  the  setting  sun. 

And  all  the  sacred  legends  old, 
The  wonders  of  remotest  age  : 

How  Mana-bo-zho  strong  and  bold, 
With  Manitos  did  battle  wage  ; 

And  when  the  floods  came  on  the  land, 
.  Whelmed  in  the  sea  the  mountains  tall, 

The  world  destroyed  ;  —  whose  mighty  hand 
Rebuilt  again  —  repeopled  all. 


THE   WOOING.  93 

Told  of  the  serpent  huge  and  dread 
That  from  a  tiny  reptile  grew ; 

Of  her  whose  hand  the  arrow  sped, 
Whose  shaft  the  frightful  monster  slew  ; 

Of  dear  Winona's  darker  fate  : 
The  maiden  who,  with  heart  so  brave 

Than  him  unknown,  unloved,  to  wed 
Chose  death  beneath  the  darkened  wave. 

Told, —  so  to  show,  in  wedded  life, 
How  needful  to  be  mated  well,  — - 

Of  him  that  took  a  Bear  to  wife, 
And  of  the  ills  that  thence  befell. 

And  glad  they  hearkened  :  —  while  he  spake 
The  listening  hours  unheeded  wore. 

Oh  !  for  the  storied  gift  to  wake 
The  spell  of  that  diviner  lore  ! 


Whatever  heights  the  tongue  can  reach 
Of  all-commanding  eloquence, 

But  half  is  in  the  gift  of  speech,— 
For  half  is  in  the  listening  sense  ; 

Unto  such  ears  he,  speaking  late, 
Did  all  the  seals  of  Knowledge  loose,  — 

Knowledge  that  doth  on  Wisdom  wait 
To  widen  life  in  Love  and  Use. 


94-  THE  LEAGUE  OF  THE  IROQUOIS. 

Though  to  her  sire  alone  he  spake, 
Scarce  minding  where  the  maiden  sat 

So  maiden- wise, — nor  deigned  to  break 
His  lofty  mood  ;  low  from  her  mat, 

Nor  bold,  nor  over  modestly, 
Ever  a  finer  ear  she  lent ; 

Listened — as  only  woman  may — 
Upon  his  deeper  thought  intent.34 

But  all  things  pass  and  go  ;  the  blaze 
Unfed,  burned  dim  ;  into  the  Past 

The  vision  of  the  vanished  days 
Fading,  again  withdrew  ;  at  last 

With  some  low,  half-unuttered  word 
The  tale  was  ended  ;  there  did  fall 

A  silence,  —  or  alone  was  heard 
Afar  the  Ko-ko-ko-ho's  call. 

And  deep  on  manly  limbs  erelong 
Was  soft  the  balm  of  slumber  laid  ; 

But  joy  that  beats  with  pulse  too  strong 
Is  kin  to  sorrow  ;  so  the  maid, 

In  vain  her  midnight  couch  she  pressed  ; 
No  sleep  could  bind  the  tender  eyes, 

For  all  the  tumult  of  her  breast  — 
For  thoughts  of  him  so  good  and  wise. 


THE   WOOING.  95 

0  maiden  Heart !  so  warm  and  true, 
That  hath,  like  her,  such  vigil  kept, 

Or  ere  the  morn,  of  bliss  so  new, 
The  pain  a  little  stayed,  hath  slept, 

Dreaming  sweet  dreams  that  will  not  pass  — 
Aye  !  from  the  darkened  years  ;  —  to  thee 

Why  should  I  sing  ?  —  to  wake,  alas  ! 
Too  oft  a  haunting  memory. 

And  who  with  tongue  so  eloquent 
To  paint  the  rapture  love  distills, 

That  fills  the  spirit's  grosser  tent 
With  breath  from  the  Immortal  Hills  ? 

0  Passion  !  that  is  all  replete 
With  deepest  bliss  —  with  direst  woe, 

Thy  thrall,  thy  thrill,  thy  madness  sweet 
The  heart  must,  throbbing,  feel  to  know. 

Or  what  is  said,  or  all  unsaid, 
But  little  recks,  when  fleet  and  strong, " 

O'er  cheek  and  breast  the  currents  red 
Run  —  singing  glad  a  marriage  song  ; 

When  other  heart  beats  in  our  own, 
Disclosing  to  each  keener  sense 

The  wealth  and  being,  else  unknown, 
Of  beauty's  lavish  heritance. 


THE  LEAGUE  OF  THE  IBOQUOIS. 

Enough  :  —  when  Hay o-went-ha  came 
Home  from  Ti-o-to  far  away, 

Enhaloed  as  with  robe  of  flame, — 
The  splendor  of  love's  risen  day, 

His  every  heightened  manly  grace 
Bespoke  how  well  the  wooing  sped ; 

Foretold  the  glory  of  his  face  — 
Nyah-tah-wanta  he  would  wed. 

And  many  an  after  day  it  grew  — 
That  larger  brightness  brightened  more, 

When  at  the  dawn  he  came  and  drew 
His  Chee-niaun  to  the  pebbly  shore  ; 

As  if  with  heart  of  love  elate 
Its  barky  sides  more  lightly  pressed 

The  springing  tide,  as  loth  to  wait 
To  bear  him  on  his  loving  quest. 


SONG 


-OF  — 


NYAH-TAII-WANTAe 


Her  little  lays  with  joy  replete 
Or  sad  with  maiden  care,  she  sang; 

Like  to  0-me-me,  softly  sweet, 
Or  mournful  as  the  lonely  Mahng 
At  midnight  on  the  summer  seas. 

The  lips  can  set  to  fairest  tunes 
The  loves  that  lowliest  hearts  enthrall; 

0  ivoodland  Odes !  0  forest  Runes  I 
I  would  I  more  might  these  recall; 
The  Heart's  umvritten  Melodies. 


IX 


SONG  OP  NYAH-TAH-WANTA. 

SOAN-GE-TAHA  !  —  Soan-ge-taha  brave  and  strong ! 
0  my  sweetheart !  0  Beloved  !  waited  long  ; 
Thee,  the  Mighty,  in  my  vision  did  I  see  ; 
When  I  look  on  my  beloved — it  is  when 

I  look  on  Thee.* 
And  the  twinkling  0-jis-hon-da,  brightly  twinkling, 

Seem  to  tell  : 

"Hayo-went-ha  come  to  woo  Nyah-tah-wanta, — 
That  is  well." 

Hayo-went-ha,  Hayo-went-ha,  great  is  he  ; 
Come  to  woo  Nyah-tah-wanta — can  it  be  ? 
And  he  calls  her  lovely  Kax-aa — is  it  so  ? 
But  a  lowly,  simple  maid — Nyah-tah-wanta 

That  I  know. 
He,  the  Home-wind,  sweet  Kee- way-din,  soothly  singing, 

Seems  to  tell : 

"  Hayo-weut-ha  come  to  woo  Nyah-tah-wanta, — 
That  is  well." 
14 

*See  the  "  Ojibwa  Song"  in  Oneota. — By  H.  K.  SCHOOLCBAFT. 


100  THE  LEAGUE  OF  THE  IBOQUOIS. 


Where  the  murmuring  Yo-yo-hon-to  through  the  glade, 
Softly  singing,  smiling  lingers  in  the  shade, 
Have  I  seen  a  lovely  maiden  look  at  me  ; 
If  she  is  Nyah-tah-wanta,  she  is  pretty, 

I  can  see. 
And  the  streamlet's  tinkling  murmur,  rippling,  rippling, 

Seems  to  tell  ; 

u  Hayo-went-ha  come  to  woo  Nyah-tah-wanta, — 
That  is  well." 


He  the  Chief  of  all  our  warriors  ?  —  so  they  say; 
All  the  OXGUE  HONWE  People  own  his  sway; 
Seems  to  me,  he  surely  can't  be  —  or,  for  pride 
He  would  seek  some  noble  &ax-aa,  —  queenly  maiden, 

For  his  bride. 
Mud-je-ke-wis,  in  the  cedars,  sighing,  sighing, 

Seems  to  tell : 

"  Hayo-went-ha  come  to  woo  Nyah-tah-wanta, — 
That  is  well." 


Simple  maid  Nyah-tah-wanta,  but  no  less 

Does  she  bear  the  heart  of  Yong-we,  and  would  press, 

All  her  own,  the  mother's  darlings  to  her  breast ; 

On  her  dearest  Nee-nee-moosh-a's  brave  and  manly 
Heart  would  rest. 


SONG   OF  NYAH-TAH-WANTA.  101 


Wa-won-ais-se  in  the  Leaf  Moon  sweetly  plainting 

Seems  to  tell : 
"  Hayo-weiit-ha  come  to  woo  Ny  ah-tah-wanta,— 

That  is  well." 


What  the  flower  is  to  the  meadow,  blooming  fair, 
Brightening  all  the  lonely  places  everywhere, 
If  the  bride  of  Hayo-went-ha,  would  I  be 
To  the  heart  of  Hayo-went-ha,  —  to  the  home 

He  builds  for  me. 
Dear  0-me-me,  in  the  fir-tree,  cooing,  cooing, 

Seems  to  tell : 

"  Hayo-went-ha  come  to  woo  Nyah-tah-wanta, — 
That  is  well." 


I  would  weave  a  royal  mantle  ;  it  should  bear 
All  the  to-tems  of  his  Nation,  passing  fair ; 
Fairer  than  the  one  I  wove  him  when  I  knew 
Only  Hayo-went-ha,  mighty, — not  the  loving 

Heart  and  true. 
On  the  lake  the  babbling  So-ra,  quacking,  quacking, 

Seems  to  tell : 

"  Hayo-went-ha  come  to  woo  Nyah-tah-wanta, — 
That  is  well." 


102  THE  LEAGUE   OF  THE  IROQUOIS. 


And  when  Seg-wun  from  the  South-land  comes  again, 
I  would  plant  the  luscious  0-nust  on  the  plain  ; 

Careful  tend  the  hlades  upspringing,  —  stir  the  loam  ; 
Pluck  the  ripened  ears  at  harvest ;  bear  the  precious 

Burden  home. 
A-ro-se-a  in  the  tree-top  chattering,  chattering, 

Seems  to  tell : 

"  Hayo-went-ha  come  to  woo  Nyah-tah-wanta, — 
That  is  well." 


When  the  wigwams  in  the  Snow-moon  silver  shine, 
I  would  pound  the  dainty  kernel,  pound  it  fine ; 
With  the  fat  of  Yek-wai  mix  it,  sweetest  cake, 
Make  and  bake  it  all  so  nicely,  —  all  for 
Hayo-went-ha's  sake. 
Far  the  Ka-ka  on  Yo-non-to  cawing,  cawing, 

Seems  to  tell : 

"  Hayo-went-ha  come  to  woo  Nyah-tah-wanta,  — 
That  is  well." 


When  Kah-sah-git  in  his  snow-shoes  o'er  the  hill 
Scatters  wide  the  shining  0-kah,  falling  chill, 
Far  would  noble   Hayo-went-ha  with  his  bow 
Hunt  the  Mo-sa  and  the  Yek-wai  and  the  fiercer 
0-kwa-ho. 


SONG  OF  NYAH-TAH-WANTA.  103 


On  the  wave  the  noisy  Wa-wa,  honking,  honking, 

Seems  to  tell : 
"Hayo-went-ha  come  to  woo  Nyah-tah-wanta,— 

That  is  well." 


When  the  Council-fire  would  brighten  far  away, 
Calling  tribe  and  band  that  proudly  own  his  sway, 
Thither  in  his  magic  Chee-maun  would  he  go  ; 
He  his  larger  mind  and  wiser  in  his  gifted 

Speech  would  show. 
Screaming  bold,  the  great  War-Ke-neu,  squalling 

Squalling,  seems  to  tell : 

"  Hayo-went-ha  come  to  woo  Nyah-tah-wanta,— 
That  is  well." 


By  the  wigwam,  long  and  lonely  though  I  wait, 
I  would  charm  the  hours  with  labor ;  I  would  mate 
With  my  larger  love  his  wisdom's  fairer  store  ; 
And  the  after-joy  of  meeting  would  long  parting 

Heighten  more. 
From  the  wood  the  Ko-ko-ko-ho,  hooting,  hooting, 

Seems  to  tell : 

"  Hayo-went-ha  come  to  woo  Nyah-tah-wanta,— 
That  is  well." 


104  THE  LEAGUE   OF  THE  IEOQUOIS. 


And, —  0  joy  !  if  I  should  bear  him,  so  requite 
Mighty  love  with  gifts  so  worthy,  sons  of  might ; 
Happy  they  in  such  a  father  ;  as  they  grew 
I  would  teach  them  to  be  ever  noble  warriors, 

Brave  and  true. 
Great  Da-hin-da,  in  the  fenlaiid,  croaking,  croaking, 

Seems  to  tell : 

"  Hayo-went-ha  come  to  woo  Nyah-ta-wanta, — 
That  is  well." 


And  enough  for  me  the  easing  of  his  care ; 
He  would  call  me  always  kindly,  think  me  fair ; 
And  for  all  the  love  I  bear  him,  I  would  find 
Something  of  his  wiser  being  shining  in  my 

Darker  mind . 
Far  Tio-to's  billows  lapsing,  softly  lapsing, 

Seem  to  say : 

"  Hayo-went-ha  come  to  woo  Nyah-tah-wanta, — 
E-wa-yea." 


0  joy  all  other  joy  above  ! 
No  other  joy  surpasseth  this, 

The  fairest  gift  to  mortal  —  Love. 
Oh,  foretaste  of  Immortal  bliss 

By  lowly  maiden  heart  possessed  ! 
Nor  hers  alone  :    The  great  and  wise 

Do  own  within  a  deeper  breast 
That  Heaven  is  in  loving  eyes. 


X 


THE    BRIDAL 


WHAT  time  the  Falling-leaf  Moon  hung 
Her  faintest  crescent  on  the  sky, 

When  to  the  woods  the  Home-wind  sung 
A  sweetly  soothing  lullaby  ; 

He,  Hayo-went-ha,  rich  arrayed 
In  royal  mantle,  woven  fair, 

Where  bright  in  many  a  to-teni  braid 
Shone  fierce  the  Tortoise,  Wolf  and  Bear ; 

In  snowy  leggins  beaded  grand, 
The  moccasins  with  the  marvelous  hem, 

Upon  his  breast  the  wampum-band 
Inwrought  with  many  a  curious  gem  ; 

As  musing  on  that  dearer  friend, 
Or  chance  a  deeper  thought  he  bore 

Of  life,  its  duties,  aim  and  end, — 

Trod  proud  the  Onondaga  shore. 
15 


108  THE  LEAGUE  OF  THE  IBOQUOIS. 

And  like  the  rising  morning  grew 
The  larger  brightness  of  his  face, 

When  at  the  dawn  he  came  and  drew 
His  Chee-maun  from  its  hiding-place ; 

That,  as  with  yearning  heart  elate, 
The  springing  tide  more  lightly  pressed  - 

Danced  on  the  wave,  as  loth  to  wait 
To  bear  him  on  his  loving  quest. 

It  erst  had  many  a  storm  withstood  ; 
Had  borne  him  in  the  days  before 

To  slay  the  monsters  of  the  flood  — 
Great  Ke-ka-dah-nong  on  the  shore  ; 

And  far  on  many  a  stranger  sea : 
Wherever  most  might  knowledge  loose 

Her  sacred  seal,  or  glory  be  ; 
But  now  should  prove  its  nobler  use. 


It  parts  the  shore  :  —  Lo  !  sapphire-lit, 
Swift  on  the  rippling  wave  it  drew  ; 
As  o'er  the  mere  the  shadows  flit 

• 

Of  clouds  that  sail  the  summer  blue  ; 

The  parted  waves  like  rubies  showed, 
More  softly  lapsed  the  sighing  marge  ; 

The  kindling  dawn  more  golden  glowed, - 
A  warmer  wish  impelled  the  barge. 


THE  BRIDAL.  109 


The  White  Swan  singing  on  the  lake 
Unto  his  ear  more  joyous  sang  ; 

More  sweetly  sad  from  out  the  brake 
The  moaning  of  the  lonely  Mahng  ; 

The  soaring  Ke-neu's  screech  and  squall, 
The  Wa-be-wawa  honking  near, 

The  soaring  Key-oshk's  harsher  call 
Seemed  mellowed  to  his  charmed  ear. 


A  music  shook  the  quiet  air 
Like  tinkling  bells  of  silver  sound  ; 

The  glimmering  blue  o'er-bending  there 
Seemed  with  love's  holiest  circlet  bound. 

All  Nature  is  but  outward  Man  ; 
He  hears  alone  the  melodies 

Within  his  breast ;  nor  other  than 
The  beauty  in  his  soul  he  sees. 

While  she  that  by  Ti-o-to  stood 
Fair  in  the  autumn's  windy  days, 

To  pluck  great  0-nust  ripe  and  good, 
To  pluck  and  strip  the  mighty  Maize, — 

As  blithe  and  glad  she  came  and  went, 
Upon  the  lake  —  and  hushed  her  song  — 

Anon  a  yearning  look  she  bent ; 
For  brief  delay  to  love  is  long. 


110  THE  LEAGUE  OF  THE  IROQUOIS. 

Again  she  broods  her  little  care 
And  voices  so  her  bosom-pain, 

Such  pain  as  maiden  bosoms  bear : 
u  Oh  !  will  that  Chee-maun  come  again, 

That  Chee-maun  from  the  fairer  shore  ? 
Or  ever  must  I  lonely  wait  ? 

Will  Hayo-went-ha  come  no  more — 
Or  is  he  good  as  he  is  great  ?  " 


"  Blest  Oway-neo  high  above, 
Bless  her,  the  lowly  maiden,  pray  ; 

Nor  her  alone  keep  in  thy  love, — 
Keep  him,  the  loved  one  far  away."35 

And  ever  as  the  morning  wore, 
While  to  her  willing  task  she  bent, 

To  Hayo-went-ha  more  and  more 
Her  heart  in  tender  yearnings  went. 

But  when  beyond  the  pebbly  marge 
Again,  with  love  delighted  eyes, 

She  saw  afar  that  mystic  barge, 
Saw  Hayo-went-ha  great  and  wise ,  — 

Forgetting  all  love's  care  and  smart, 
What  rare  delights  her  bosom  swayed  ! 

What  rapture  thrilled  that  gentle  heart - 
Fell  like  a  mantle  on  the  maid  ! 


THE  BRIDAL.  Ill 

And  if  beside  the  waiting  sea 
Her  pulse  a  deeper  joy  confessed 

To  mark  that  Chee-maun  speeding  free,— 
Oh  !  how  divine  a  peace  and  rest 

The  maiden  bosom  owned,  when  near 
She  saw  him  by  the  wigwam  stand  ; 

With  him  the  mat  again  to  share, 
And  clasp  again  that  dearer  hand. 

With  something  of  the  olden  fire 
Of  ONGUE  HONWE'S  lofty  mood, 

Uprose  the  maiden's  aged  sire 
To  friendly  greet  him  where  he  stood  ; 

To  make  for  Hayo-went-ha  free 
The  wigwam's  fairest  couch  and  rest ; 

With  pipe  and  meat  and  courtesy 
Give  welcome  to  his  noble  guest.36 

And  charming  all  the  twilight  shade, 
Of  deeds  of  other  days  they  tell  ; 

Of  hunter  chase  o'er  hill  and  glade, 
Of  braves  that  in  the  battle  fell ; 

And  all  the  home-delighting  tales,  — 
Till  by  some  saddened  memory  crossed, 

Unfinished,  late  the  story  fails,— 
Still  musing  on  the  loved  and  lost. 


112  THE  LEAGUE  OF  THE  IROQUOIS. 

While  she,  the  maiden,  sat  apart 
Content  to  see  the  hour  prolong, 

Sat  softly  crooning  to  her  heart 
Some  stave  of  love-awakened  song. 

And  so  the  darkness  more  and  more 
To  silence  fell,  till  all  was  still, 

Save  waves  low-lapsing  on  the  shore 
And  Wa-won-ais-se's  plainting  shrill. 

But  when  the  night  was  overpassed. 
When  rested  of  his  weariness, 

And  he  again  had  broke  his  fast,  — 
As  he  would  all  his  heart  confess, 

From  out  his  Chee-maun  forth  he  bore 
And  wide  the  costly  treasures  spread, 

Such  as  might  friendship  heighten  inor. 
And  Hayo-went-ha,  speaking,  said  : 

"As  is  our  people's  custom,  so 
I  bring  you  gifts  ;  such  gifts  as  be 

Not  all  unworthy ;  yet  I  know 
What  in  return  I  ask  of  thee 

The  richest  boon  can  never  buy  ; 
In  more  than  friendly  bond  allied, 

I  seek  in  these  love's  dearer  tie — 
I  seek,  this  maiden  for  my  bride." 


THE  BRIDAL.  113 

Incurious  of  each  costly  braid, 
The  aged  Chieftain  from  his  mat 

Put  by  his  pipe,  looked  on  the  maid 
And  lonely  musing,  silent  sat  ;37 

As  he  her  heart  would  question  so, 
Or  through  the  rising  niist  of  tears 

Far-looking  into  eyes  that  glow 
And  brighten  from  the  vanished  years. 

uTake  her,  0  Hayo-went-ha  ! — she 
Is  all  thine  own,"  bespoke  her  sire  ; 

"  I  scorn  not  gifts  like  thine  to  me, 
But  love  is  more  than  vain  desire. 

0  take  her  ! — she  with  thee  will  go  ; 
And  wifely-wise  her  heart  shall  bear 

The  name  and  fame  thou  dost  bestow, 
And  worthy  thou  of  bride  so  fair." 

What  bliss  her  lowly  toiling  lent 
Through  all  the  beauteous  autumn  days ; 

For  not  alone  the  maiden  went 
To  joyous  pluck  the  ruddy  Maize. 

How  quick  and  strong  the  hands  to  dare, 
When  love  their  labor  more  endears  ; 

For  Hayo-went-ha,  he  would  bear 
The  burden  of  the  ripened  ears.38 


114  THE  LEAGUE   OF  THE  IBOQUOIS. 

0  Love  !  thou  lendst  a  heightened  charm 
Not  to  the  maiden's  brow  alone ; 

No  less  upon  his  manly  form 
Thy  all-ennobling  presence  shone, — 

With  a  celestial  luster  glowed, 
His  every  feature  lightened  through  ; 

His  very  step,  as  forth  he  strode, 
Seemed  quickened  with  that  rapture  new. 

As  glad  the  orient's  kindling  glow 
The  hastening  day  betokens  wide, 

So  beauty's  rarer  splendors  show 
The  maiden  ripening  to  the  bride  ; 

Her  bosom  throbs  more  tenderly, 
More  rarely  shines  each  maiden  grace  ; 

More  lovely  than  the  maid,  we  see 
The  woman  in  the  maiden  face. 

Love  —  only  love,  a  beauty  wears ; 
If  touching  but  her  shining  hem 

The  plainest  way-side  damsel  bears 
More  than  a  jewelled  diadem. 

And  oh,  what  art  can  heighten  more 
The  peerless  charms  that  her  adorn, 

When  she  that  was  so  fair  before, 
Transfigured,  waits  the  nuptial  morn  ! 


THE  BRIDAL.  115 

On  her,  the  forest's  lowly  maid, 
Robed  on  with  every  virgin  grace, 

Whose  proudest  wish  had  never  strayed 
Beyond  the  Yong-we's  home  and  place, 

How  passing  fair  love's  mantle  shone ; 
Love  bears  the  true  enchanter's  wand, 

And  beauty  wrought  of  love  alone 
Is  beauty  of  the  Morning  Land. 


Calm  lit  thy  bridal,  dawning  bright ; 
Thy  heart  no  baser  feeling  moved  ; 

And  Nature  smiled  her  dear  delight, 
And  Oway-neo  glad  approved 

The  chastened  nuptial  tie  and  band 
Of  hearts  by  simple  love  allied, 

When  thou,  nor  unadorned,  didst  stand 
The  noble  Hayo-went-ha's  bride. 

More  tender  woke  the  woman's  tone, 
While  like  the  morning's  ruby  rise 

A  radiant  splendor  round  thee  shone — 
Looked  beauteous  from  thy  starry  eyes, 

O'er  cheek  and  breast  emmaiitled  warm ; 
When  thou,  in  all  thy  maiden  charms, 

Didst  yield  thy  lovely  maiden  form 

To  Hayo-went-ha's  manly  arms. 
16 


116  THE  LEAGUE  OF  THE  IBOQUOIS. 

Near  in  the  rapture-burdened  blue, 
And  dancing  with  love's  fairy  feet, 

The  twinkling  0-jis-hon-da  drew, 
Peeped  —  conscious  of  love's  secret  sweet ; 

Wo-ne-da,  winging  o'er  the  wold, 
Clasped  in  the  yearning  arms  of  Night, 

Put  back  her  bosom's  cloudy  fold, 
Made  crimson  with  the  new  delight. 

The  wood  through  all  its  leafiness 
Stood  —  thrilled  with  maiden  tenderness; 

The  yearning  sea  returned  the  kiss, 
And  blushed,  of  Morning's  fond  caress. 

The  bridal  waves  ecstatic  swam, 
Lapsed  fainting  on  the  loving  shore  ; 

The  Zephyr,  bearing  nectar-balm, 
Fell,  drunken  with  the  bliss  it  bore,  — 

As  forth  they  wandered  hand  in  hand. 
Approved  by  Nature's  mother-heart, 

Love  well  had  wrought  -the  nuptial  band,- 
What  more  might  solemn  rite  impart  ? 

If  love  the  wedding  feast  prepare, 
Love  at  the  marriage  banquet  wait, 

More  than  the  priestly  hand  is  there ; 
The  very  air  is  consecrate. 


THE    AFTER-DAYS, 


0  Flower  of  Love  !  though  wildling  born, 
Your  lowly  buds  that  blossom  free 

Do  fair  the  tree  of  life  adorn, 
That  else  had  been  a  barren  tree. 


Though  frag  ranee  sweet  beyond  compute 
Js  thine,  and  beauty  passing  praise, 

More  precious  far  the  ripened  fruit 
We  garner  in  the  After  Days. 


XI 


THE    AFTER-DAYS. 


WHERE  singing  like  a  joyous  thing 
Went  Yo-yo-hon-to  on  its  way, 

Where  on  the  night-wind's  lightest  wing 
Came  up  Ti-o-to's  "  E-wa-yea," 

There,  beauteous  on  the  grassy  strand 
And  near  beside  the  sheltering  wood, 

And  wrought  by  Hayo-went-ha's  hand, 
The  new-built  wigwam  brightly  stood. 

And  patient  toiled  he  many  a  day 
With  sinew-string  and  barky  thong, 

With  loop  and  seam  and  stitch  and  stay, 
Intent  to  make  it  firm  and  strong. 

Then  forth  he  went  with  shaft  and  bow 
And  many  a  hairy  skin  he  bore, 

Of  Yek-wai  and  of  0-kwa-ho, 
And  softly  matted  all  the  floor. 


120  THE  LEAGUE  OF  THE  IROQUOIS, 

To  charm  and  guard  his  home  and  place 
Its  barky  sides  he  pictured  fair 

With  to-tems  of  his  name  and  race,— 
Where  fierce  the  Tortoise,  Wolf  and  Bear 

High  on  its  barky  cover  shone  ; 
Each  type  and  symbol,  such  as  thence 

The  greatly  wise  may  draw  alone 
The  mystery  of  the  hidden  sense. 

And  there  he  brought  the  aged  sire, 
And  there  Nyah-tah-wanta  came  ; 

She  broke  the  sticks,  she  built  the  fire,— 
While  sweeter  than  the  crackling  flame 

The  song  that  murmured  in  her  heart, 
So  overfull  of  love's  unrest. 

Oh  !  love  can  wake  the  songful  art 
That  slumbers  in  the  rudest  breast. 


Glad  wore  the  days,  with  joy  allied, 
Of  Hayo-went-ha's  hunter-life ; 

And  she  that  was  a  beauteous  bride 
More  beauteous  ripened  to  the  wife  ; 

And  if  at  whiles  o'erwearied  pressed 
The  feet  the  household  burdens  bore, 

It  sweetened  more  the  after-rest ; 
Love-lit,  the  Home-fire  brightened  more. 


THE  AFTER-DAYS.  121 


But  fairest  life  will  sorrows  dim  : 
Erelong,  with  mighty  arm  and  cold, 

Dread  0-wah-ai-gut  came  for  him  — 
Her  sire  —  more  feeble  grown  and  old, 

And  bore  him  to  the  Better  Land; 
Land  that  the  dim  horizon  bounds, 

Where  roams  each  dusky  tribe  and  band- 
The  nobler  Spirits1  Hunting  Grounds. 

And  him  they  dressed  with  loving  care : 
They  wrapped  him  in  his  blanket  new, 

His  moccasins  that  were  beaded  fair, 
His  snowy  leggins  softly  drew  ; 39 

His  brow  they  bound  with  warrior-band 
And  crowned  it  with  the  eagle-plume  ; 

They  laid  his  war-club  in  his  hand, 
Then  bore  him  to  the  waiting  tomb. 

And  Hayo-went-ha,  through  his  tears, 
Said,  speaking  to  the  chieftain  gone  : 

"0  thou  whom  parting  more  endears, 
Beloved  !  who  hast  journeyed  on, 

Albeit  a  weary  way  and  long, 
To  land  where  noble  Hunters  dwell, 

The  Mighty  Warriors,  brave  and  strong, 
0  !  Knee-ha,  Father  !  fare  thee  well.'140 


122  THE  LEAGUE  OF  THE  IROQUOIS. 

Nyah-tah-wanta's  deeper  pain 
Her  trembling  lips  but  ill  expressed ; 

Her  tears  were  like  the  summer  rain, 
And  like  the  rain,  they  soothed  and  blest ; 

Her  cheek  the  sod  in  anguish  pressed, . 
But  not  for  long  ;  she  leaned  her  head 

On  Hayo-went-ha's  manly  breast 
And  wept — and  then  was  comforted. 

Again  the  days  in  beauty  wore  : 
Erelong  Nyah-tah-wanta  pressed  — 

The  dream  her  maiden  bosom  bore  — 
Her  darling  to  her  mother's  breast. 

As  to  Nyah-tah-wanta  he 
In  all  the  years  had  dearer  grown, 

So,  in  her  motherhood,  was  she 
More  truly  Hayo-went-ha's  own.     v 

Though  hers  the  woman's  destiny— 
Though  pain  the  mother's  love  unsealed, 

No  tearful  sorrow-burdened  cry 
The  mother's  anguished  pain  revealed  ; 

For  she  the  lofty  faith  possessed, 
That,  coward  weakness  held  in  scorn, 

Endurance  in  the  mother-breast 
Wrought  courage  in  the  newly-born.41 


THE  AFTER-DAYS.  123 

How  wondrous  strange  a  beauty  hath 
The  glimmering  life,  so  newly  lit ; 

How  sweet  along  the  home-led  path 
The  pattering  of  the  tiny  feet. 

Can   rarer  joy  for  mortal  be, 
A  purer  bliss  may  mortal  know, 

Than  on  love's  bounteous  breast  to  see 
A  dearer  life  in  beauty  grow  ? 


The  bridal  days  come  back  again, 
Love  brightens  to  each  fond  caress  ; 

Aye  !  even  the  mother's  deeper  pain 
Do  soft  endearments  turn  to  bliss  ; 

What  good  may  heart  of  Woman  own, 
What  joy  her  simple  joy  above, 

Far  dwelling  in  the  forest  lone  ?  — 
What  is  there  more  than  home  and  love  ?  42 


When  from  the  land  had  fled  amain 
The  winter  glooms,  in  cheerful  toil 

She  took  great  0-nust's  luscious  grain 
And  hid  it  in  the  fruitful  soil. 

She  anxious  watched  the  tiny  spears, 
Made  mellow  round  each  springing  blade, 

Or  joyous  plucked  the  ripened  ears, 

As  meet  for  Indian  wife  or  maid. 
17 


124:  THE  LEAGUE  OF  THE  IROQUOIS. 

Or,  with  the  housewife's  frugal  care, 
Far  through  the  forest's  windy  ways 

She  roamed,  the  fallen  nuts  to  bear 
And  garner  for  the  wintry  days  ; 

Or  in  the  woods  the  sticks  would  break 
And  bear  them  to  her  lowly  door, 

To  cook  the  Mosa-meat,  and  make 
The  cheerful  Home-fire  brighten  more. 


While  Hayo-went-ha  wore  the  day 
In  following  with  his  shaft  and  bow 

The  lofty-antlered  Me-sha-way, 
Or  fiercely-howling  0-kwa-ho ; 

The  snowy  Wau-bos,  tender-eyed, 
The  Jit-sho  with  the  wary  tread, 

The  Ne-jig  with  the  sleeky  hide, 
The  shagged  Yek-wai,  prowling  dread. 

She  watched  the  midnight-brooding  star 
Chased  by  the  dawn,  and  unafraid 

Save  but  for  him,  whose  feet  afar 
Still  in  the  hunter-chase  delayed  ; 

Or  in  his  Chee-maun  fleet  and  free, 
That  willing  went  and  willing  came, 

Borne  lightly  o'er  the  foaming  sea 
Where,  waiting,  lit  the  Council-flame. 


THE  AFTER-DAYS.  125 

When  from  the  Council  Fire  returned, 
He  rested  on  his  couch  and  mat, 

The  cheerful  blaze  more  brightly  burned  ; 
When  by  its  kindling  flame  he  sat, 

Or  shone  the  robe  so  newly  wrought 
On  Hayo-wont-ha's  manly  breast, 

Like  that  the  bridal  morning  brought 
The  joy  the  wifely  heart  confessed. 

And  more  the  mother's  breast  would  own 
The  mother's  joy,  nor  less  delight 

The  little  maid,  when  gaily  shone 
Her  fawn-skin  kirtle,  snowy-white  ; 

And  day  by  day,  in  rarer  grace 
The  lithesome  form  did  heighten  more  ; 

Nor  less  the  soul  that  lit  the  face 
Grew,  —  curious  of  all  forest-lore. 


To  charm  the  twilight,  waiting  lone, 
She  from  the  wigwam's  fables  old 

Told  of  the  deeds  in  days  unknown, 
Or  childhood's  fairy  stories  told  : 

Of  Mana-bo-zho — he  that  set 
His  legs  to  roast  the  Kee-wau-nee  ; 

Whence  came  the  willows  red,  that  yet 
Are  gory-red  —  as  you  can  see. 


126  THE  LEAGUE   OF  THE  IROQUOIS. 

Of  Shin-ge-bis  so  brave  and  bold, 
Or  duck  or  man,  as  he  might  please  ; 

Him  that,  with  all  his  storm  and  cold, 
Kabi-bon-ok-ka  could  not  freeze. 

All  stories  of  the  vanished  years, 
The  wondrous  fireside  Folk-songs  old 

Told  to  the  maiden's  willing  ears  ; 
As  but  by  Indian  mothers  told. 

The  while  the  reedy  mats  she  made 
Or  lit  the  embers,  falling  dim, 

Or  wove  the  precious  wampum-braid 
And  charmed  the  hour  with  thoughts  of  him ; 

Or,  Hayo-went-ha  more  to  bless, 
The  little  maiden  by  her  side, 

With  patient  hand  of  weariness 
She  dressed  Skan-o-do's  hairy  hide. 

And  growing,  more  the  maiden  grew 
The  mother's  joy,  the  father's  pride  ; 

She  all  the  wigwam  fables  knew, 
Nor  less  her  hand  to  labor  plied  ; 

But  when  her  little  task  was  done, 
So  learned  in  all  the  stories  old, 

Her  pretty  tongue  would  prattle  on — 
He-tell  the  tales  the  mother  told. 


THE  AFTER-DAYS.  127 

You  would  a  willing  ear  have  lent ; 
Like  this  her  simple  legendry  :  — 


"As  through  the  woods  the  Be-zhu  went 
Sore  pressed  with  hunger,  did  he  see 
High  on  a  bank  beyond  his  reach 
The  snowy  Wau-bos,  tender-eyed  ; 
And  in  his  very  sweetest  speech 
'Come  here,  my  pretty  one,'  he  cried. 

"  The  gentle  beast,  replying,  spake  : 
'I  thank  you,  but  it  cannot  be  ; 

My  mother  said,  I  must  not  make, 
Most  noble  sir,  with  strangers  free.1 

'0  loveliest.!1  he  answered  fair, 
Obedient  child,  you  need  not  fear  ; 

How  worthy  of  such  parent's  care  ! 
I  am  a  relative,  my  dear, 

"'Of  yours,  and  only  wish  to  send 
A  word  to  those  we  love  ;  —  0  stay  ! ' 

He  said,  'I  am  your  dearest  friend, 
Indeed  ! — come  down  to  me,  I  pray.1 

She,  at  his  flattering  address, 
Forgot  her  mother's  good  advice  ; 

And  drawing  near,  that  Hare,  alas  ! 
Was  torn  and  eaten  in  a  trice.11 


128          •         THE  LEAGUE   OF  THE  IROQUOIS. 

She  told  of  love  the  tender  tales  ; 
Of  him  that  journeyed  far  and  high, 

Son  of  the  Evening  Star  that  trails 
A  glory  down  the  western  sky  :  — 


"  Osseo  wrinkled  was  and  old  — 
All  for  an  Evil  Manito  ; 

But  he  was  good  and  wise  and  bold — 
His  was  a  tender  heart  and  true. 


u  And  Oweenee,  the  lovely  maid, 
She  all  her  lovers  turned  away, 

Though  decked  with  beads  and  wampum-braid 
And  young  and  brave  and  painted  gay. 

"They  laughed  when  she  Osseo  wed  — 
Laughed  at  his  feeble  step  and  slow  ; 

But  '  I  am  happy,1  still  she  said, 
And  who  is  foolish  you  shall  know.' 

"  Osseo  wrinkled  was  and  old  ; — 
He  hid  him  in  a  hollow  tree  ; 

When  forth  he  came  a  j^outh,  behold  ! — 
No  other  youth  so  fair  as  be. 


THE  AFTER-DAYS.  129 


"  Oh,  noiie  indeed  did  ever  know 
Such  straight  and  tall  and  handsome  man, 

With  all  the  fleetness  of  the  Roe — 
With  all  his  strength  come  back  again ! 


"  Alas  !  the  magic  witchery 
That  unto  him  such  beauty  lent, 
Made  her,  his  dearest  Oweenee, 
Decrepid,  wrinkled,  old  and  bent. 


u  Yet  spake  Osseo  words  of  cheer  ; 
He  called  her  still  each  tender  name, 

He  called  her  Nee-nee-moosh-a  dear- 
He  called  her  sweetheart  all  the  same. 


u  Though  they,  the  Evil  Powers,  did  mar 
Her  every  feature,  he  could  see 

Within  and  shining  like  a  star, 
All  lovely  still,  his  Oweenee. 


"  And  with  a  cry  he  broke  the  spell : 
Lo  !  all  the  wrinkled  ugliness 

Fell  from  her — like  a  garment  fell,— 
Left  only  beauty's  charm  and  grace. 


130  THE  LEAGUE  OF  THE  IROQUOIS. 


"  But  all  the  lovers,  sisters,  they 
That  flouted,  jeered  and  spake  her  ill, 

Were  changed  to  birds  and  flew  away, 
And  in  the  woods  are  singing  still. 


"  While  like  the  morn  that  night  illumes, 
Was  Oweenee,  so  lovely  grown  ; 

Or  like  the  Swan  with  glistening  plumes, 
So  new  her  snowy  kirtle  shone. 


"  Her  bowls  no  longer  were  of  wood. 
Her  kettles  all  like  silver  showed  ; 

The  barky  lodge  that  glimmering  stood, 
Like  flaming  wings,  it  swayed  and  glowed. 


"  Then  heard  they  far-off  voices  call, 
That  through  the  twilight  tender  fell : 

1  The  magic  spells  are  broken  all,  — 
Gome,  in  the  Stars  immortal  dwell.1 


"And  lo  !  the  wigwam  rising  free, 
Went  speeding  through  the  ether  far ; 

Till  with  Osseo,  Oweenee, 
It  rested  on  the  Evening  Star. 


THE  AFTER-DAYS.  131 


"No  more  to  wrinkled  grow  and  die, 
No  more  in  weary  toil  to  pine  ; 

To  dance  and  sing  —  not  weep  and  cry- 
To  like  the  starlight  glow  and  shine." 


All  home-delighting  tales  she  told  : — 
Of  him,  the  wrestler  never  thrown, 

The  greatest  trickster,  jester  bold, 
The  greatest  mischief-maker  known  ; 

Him,  Pau-puk-kee-wis,  wizard  sprite, 
That  in  a  hundred  forms  was  slain, 

Yet  ever  with  new  strength  and  might 
In  bird  and  beast  did  live  again. 


Of  him,  far  seeking  fairer  boon 
Than  is  the  noblest  gift  of  men,— 

losco,  to  the  sun  and  moon 
That  journeyed,  and  returned  again  ; 

Of  all  the  wonders  that  he  saw, 
The  strange  adventures  that  befel, 

Of  every  mighty  Manito 
That  helped  or  hindered,  she  could  tell, 
18 


132  THE  LEAGUE  OF  THE  1HOQUOIS. 

Of  the  Magician's  Daughter ;  she, 
The  Red  Swan,  whose  gay  plumage  lent 

A  glory  to  the  land  and  sea ; 
Who,  when  his  magic  arrows  spent, 

Still  on  and  on  the  hunter  drew 
And  all  his  manly  courage  tried  ; 

Until,  so  brave  was  he  and  true, 
He  won  the  maiden  for  his  bride. 


And  of  the  shining  Stone  Canoe, 
Wherein  the  hapless  lover  passed 

Into  the  Land  of  Souls,  and  saw 
The  maiden  he  had  mourned,  —  the  rest 

That  waits  on  all  the  good  and  brave,  — 
Land  where  no  parting  is  or  pain  ; 

Returning  thence  across  the  wave 
He  trod  this  darkened  Earth  again. 


Of  Kwa-sind,  Mana-bo-zho's  friend, 
So  strong  that  mighty  rocks  he  threw  ; 

Who  freed  the  rivers,  cleared  the  land, 
And  A-meek,  King  of  Beavers,  slew. 

Who  for  his  pride  of  strength  and  might, 
For  all  his  pride  and  boasting  vain, 

Was  slain,  alas  !  in  hate  and  spite  — 
By  little  mean  Puck-Wudj-ies  slain. 


THE  AFTER-DAYS.  133 

Of  him  that,  fasting  all  too  long, 
Changed  to  0-pee-chee,  —  gaily  sings 

Till  all  the  grove  is  loud  with  song, — 
So  happy  in  the  gift  of  wings. 

Of  the  Foam  Woman,  Pee-ta-Kway, 
The  Moccasins  that  enchanted  draw ; 

Of  her  the  Fairies  stole  away, 
The  lovely  maiden  Lee-li-nau.* 

And  more,  as  grows  the  kindling  dawn, 
In  beauty  grew  the  little  maid  ; 

That  free  and  lithesome  as  the  fawn 
Went  dancing  through  the  windy  glade  ; 

And  oft  when  summer  breezes  fanned 
Her  glowing  cheek,  afar  was  heard 

Her  little  song,  that  o'er  the  land 
She  caroled  like  a  singing  bird. 

And  as  in  stature,  more  she  grew 
In  forest-lore,  till  passing  well 

She  all  the  marvelous  stories  knew, 
More  than  lago's  self  could  tell. 

Nor  less  a  maiden  heart  and  kind 
Her  bosom  bore,  while  in  her  face 

Shone  all  the  father's  wiser  mind 
Lit  with  the  mother's  tender  grace. 

*  lliawatha  Legends,  by  H.  R.  SCHOOLCRAFT. 


134  THE  LEAGUE  OF  THE  1BOQUOIS. 

Serene  the  days  had  onward  flown, 
The  years  that  only  came  to  bless, 

And  Hayo-went-ha  great  had  grown 
In  majesty  and  nobleness  ; 

More  wide  had  spread  his  prophet-fame 
The  Dusky  Tribes  to  lead  and  teach  ; 

And  many  a  warrior  c'hieftain  came 
To  hearken  to  his  wiser  speech. 

His  name  on  every  wind  had  flown 
Wherever  dusky  warriors  roam  ; 

Yet  dearer  to  his  heart  had  grown 
The  long-familiar  paths  of  home  ; 

Its  soothing  tones  that  gently  woke, 
Still  more  had  power  to  charm  and  bless  ; 

And  in  his  voice,  the  while  he  spoke, 
There  dwelt  a  deeper  tenderness. 

And  teaching,  more  himself  had  taught 
Of  all  this  being's  end  and  aim  ; 

That  mighty  deeds,  with  glory  fraught, 
If  fame,  is  not  the  noble  ?t  fame  ; 

Not  triumph  in  the  bloody  strife 
Nor  yet  to  give  to  pleasure  loose, 

But  that  the  measure  meet  of  life 
Is  Virtue,  Wisdom,  Love  and  Use. 


THE    COUNCIL. 


Blest  Oway-neo  high  above, 
Thou  only  mighty,  all  in  all, 

0  Thou  that  art  Immortal  Lore, 
Must  bear  us  or  we  faint  and  fall! 

0!  give  us  more  of  trust  to  feel 
In  Thee;  Thee  more  to  understand ; 

To  see  in  all,  or  woe  or  weal, 
Thy  presence  and  tliy  loving  hand. 


XII 


THE    COUNCIL. 


As  if  too  much  might  bliss  endear 
This  all  too-quickly  passing  life, 

Erelong  to  Hayo-went-ha's  ear 
Came  rumors  of  War's  ruthless  strife  ; 

The  fell  Algonquin  warriors  fierce 
With  war-ax  red  and  angry  bow 

Had  come  ;  their  savage  yells  did  pierce 
The  very  home  of  Manito. 

And  lo  !  afar  the  lurid  streaks 
From  flaming  wigwams  lighted  past ; 

While  Kax-aa's  cries  and  Yong-we's  shrieks 
Dread  mingled  with  the  awful  blast. 

A  sorrow  wail  that,  east  or  west, 
Or  north  or  south,  still  onward  swept, 

And  kindled  in  each  dusky  breast 
The  fiery  soul  that  long  had  slept. 


138  THE  LEAGUE  OF  THE  1BOQVOIS. 

~And  forth  at  Hayo-went-ha's  call 
The  widely-scattered  chieftains  came, 

Where  fearful  shone  night's  gloomy  pall, 
Lit  with  the  mighty  Council-flame — 4S 

Far  kindled  on  Yo-non-to,  high 
Above  the  Onondaga  flood  ; 

Bright  flaring  on  the  midnight  sky, 
Illuming  hill  and  wave  and  wood. 

Three  days  that  beacon-light  had  shone 
On  plumes  a  thousand  warriors  wore  ; 

Still  Hayo-went-ha  waited  lone 
Beside  Ti-o-to's  farther  shore, 

Nor  to  the  Council  came  ;  and  fleet 
Went  hunters,  swiftest  in  the  chase, 

Went  messengers  with  flying  feet, 
To  bring  him  to  the  Council-place. 

And  him  they  found  ; — nor  bold  and  proud 
He  stood,  as  one  of  noble  state ; 

But  sat  he  mute,  in  sorrow  bowed — 
The  presage  of  a  darker  fate. 

His  breast  an  evil  omen  bore, 
Foretelling  he  no  more  should  come 

Back  from  the  Council-place,  nor  more 
Be  gladdened  by  the  smiles  of  home. 


THE  COUNCIL.  139 

In  fitting  words,  nor  overbold, 
To  him  they  spake  ;  how,  burning  dim, 

The  Council  still  delayed ;  they  told 
What  mighty  chieftains  waited  him  ; 

What  braves  the  fiercer  foe  had  slain ; 
How  women  wept  and  children  mourned ; 

Till  pitying  so  his  People's  pain, 
Or  he  his  lighter  sorrow  scorned, 

Or  bowing  to  the  will  of  Fate, — 
Uprose  ;  and  not  as  one  bereft, 

But  with  a  firmer  step  elate  ; 
And  on  that  manly  face  was  left 

Of  anguished  thought,  nor  trace  nor  stain ; 
But  with  the  olden  fire  imbued  — 

The  scorn  of  fear,  the  scorn  of  pain 
Of  ONGUE  HONWE'S  lofty  mood. 

Bright  in  the  morning's  dawning  light 
Shone  Hayo-went-ha's  Prophet-face, 

As  it  some  passion's  stormy  might 
Had  lit  and  left  a  fiery  trace  ; 

His  brow  of  mighty  purpose  showed, 
His  eye  of  valor's  kindling  ken  ; 

His  very  step,  as  forth  he  strode, 
Was  haughty,  as  of  kingly  men. 
19 


14:0  THE  LEAGUE  OF  THE  IPOQUOIS. 

And  forth  again  the  wondrous  barge 
From  out  its  secret  place  he  brought ; 

Bore  softly  to  the  pebbly  marge 
The  bark  by  mystic  fingers  wrought — 

The  Chee-maun  blest  of  Manito, 
That  paddle-bearing  hand  had  none, 

Yet  fleetly  on,  and  onward  drew 
When  Hayo-went-ha  willed  it  on  ; 

That  bore  him  in  the  days  before, 
In  radiant  summers  long  agone, 

To  fair  Ti-o-to's  pebbly  shore, 
When,  lit  with  love's  awakening  dawn, 

It  glowed  as  Oway-neo  there 
Had  built  his  wigwam  on  the  strand. 

Oh,  love  can  make  the  common  rare — 
Make  every  land  a  summer-land  ! 

It  erst  had  many  a  storm  withstood ; 
Him  with  his  mighty  bow  it  bore 

To  slay  the  monsters  of  the  flood, 
Great  Ke-ka-dah-nong  on  the  shore  ; 

And  far  on  many  a  stranger  sea, — 
Wherever  most  might  knowledge  loose 

Her  sacred  seal,  or  glory  be ; 
But  now  should  prove  its  nobler  use. 


THE   COUNCIL.  141 

As  if  with  warrior-pride  elate, 
Or  felt  again  love's  fond  desire, 

It  lightly  skipped,  as  loth  to  wait 
To  bear  him  to  the  Council  Fire  ; 

On  Onondaga's  breast  to  dance— 
Far  on  the  sea  to  dance  and  leap, 

Before  the  westering  sun  should  glance 
His  arrows  from  the  rocky  steep. 

In  royal  mantle  woven  fair, 
Nyah-tah-wanta's  hand  had  made, 

Where  shone  the  Tortoise,  Wolf,  and  Bear, 
Shone  fierce  in  many  a  to-tem  braid  ; 

In  moccasins  with  the  marvelous  hem, 
In  snowy  leggins,  beaded  grand, 

Inwrought  with  many  a  curious  gem,— 
He  trod  the  Onondaga  strand. 

And  her  he  called — the  little  maid — 
From  out  the  leafy  summer  wood, 

Glad  singing  through  the  windy  glade 
The  simple  songs  of  maidenhood ; 

And  when  anear  she  lightly  run, 
Said  to  the  maiden  tenderly, 

"Go,  put  your  beaded  kirtle  on, 
Your  mantle  new,  and  go  with  me." 


142  THE  LEAGUE  OF  THE  IROQUOIS. 

And  as  the  maid  with  quicker  tread 
And  gayer  song  went  lightly  by, 

The  mother,  though  she  nothing  said,- 
The  mother,  though  she  knew  not  why, 

Was  loth  to  let  the  damsel  go  ; 
Perchance  within  a  deeper  breast, 

Of  danger  that  she  did  not  know, 
She  felt  the  trouble  and  unrest. 


Swift  sped  afar  the  mystic  bark, 
Bright  on  the  tide  the  morning  broke ; 

But  Hayo-went-ha,  brooding  dark, 
Looked  on  the  tide,  and  nothing  spoke  ; 

As  if  he  spied  in  outward  sight, 
Or  saw  with  clearer  inner  eye, 

Or  inly  felt  the  spell  and  might 
Of  awful  sorrow,  boding  nigh. 

Though  with  that  omened  dread  imbued, 
Some  tender  thought  his  bosom  bore 

Unto  the  mother  where  she  stood, — 
Sad  lingered  on  the  pebbly  shore. 

Nyah-tah-wanta  watching  vain 
That  magic  Chee-maun  speeding  fast, 

Still  looked  and  wept,  and  felt  the  pain 
As  if  that  parting  were  the  last. 


THE  COUNCIL.  143 

When  lost  unto  her  anxious  sight, 
She  homeward  turned  with  weary  tread 

To  mourn  the  wigwam's  lost  delight ; 
While  unto  him,  as  on  he  sped, 

Ti-o-to's  banks,  receding,  grew 
More  dim  and  faint ;  —  still  on,  away 

To  where  the  hurrying  currents  drew 
Of  swiftly-running  Seneca. 

And  many  an  ill-foreboding  bird 
Along  the  reedy  borders  woke  ; 

A  grief-betokening  tono  he  heard 
In  great  Da-hin-da's  hoarser  croak ; 

The  war  Ke-neu,  with  screech  and  squall, 
Bore  to  his  ear  a  sorrow-cry ; 

In  noisy  Wa-wa's  honking  call 
He  heard  an  evil  prophecy. 

The  pretty  maid,  with  heart  elate, 
Her  paddle  in  the  limpid  sea, 

Sat, —  only  so  to  keep  it  straight, 
The  Ghee-maun  lightly  speeding  free  ; 

Or  more  to  charm  her  maiden  care 
Or  so  the  lingering  hour  to  chide, 

She  pulled  the  lilies  blooming  fair, 
Or  watched  the  silver  ripples  glide. 


144  THE  LEAGUE  OF  THE  IROQUOIS. 

Her  little  songs  she  softly  sang 
Or  watched  the  tiny  minnows  throng, 

Or  listened  to  the  lonely  Mahng, 
Nor  heard  in  his  a  troubled  song  ; 

She  saw  the  Sa-wa  darting  free, 
Skan-o-do  browsing  in  the  wood ; 

Nor  thought  of  coming  ill  had  she, 
The  little  maiden,  fair  and  good. 

And  still  away  it  lightly  run, 
Like  wing  of  bird  —  that  light  canoe; 

Still  Hayo-went-ha  willed  it  on, 
And  still  the  willing  current  drew  ; 

Till  swiftly  up  the  So-ha-hi 
That  airy  bark  he  lightly  pressed  ; 

Now  Onondaga  glimmers  nigh — 
Lo  !  now  he  skims  its  flashing  breast. 


High  on  Yo-iion-to  far  away 
A  thousand  dusky  warriors  wait ; 

The  morn  is  passed,  and  still  they  say, — 
11  He  comes  not — Hayo-went-ha  great." 

But  lo  !  along  the  reedy  marge 
A  lonely  Chee-maun  speeding  free  ; 

And — "Knee-ha!  Knee-ha!"  greets  the  barge: 
"My  father !— father !— it  is  he  ! !" 


THE  COUNCIL.  145 

Near  and  more  near ;  —  he  gains  the  shore  ; 
From  out  the  bark  with  loving  hand 

The  maiden  dear  he  lightly  bore  ; 
While  voices ,  waking  all  the  land, 

The  Chieftain  greet,  —  now  more  their  hope. 
A  thousand  warriors  on  him  wait 

To  bear  him  up  the  grassy  slope, 
Where,  empty,  waits  the  lodge  of  state. 

But  lo  !  what  sound  from  far  is  heard  ? 
What  fierce-descending  form  is  there 

With  pinions  of  a  mighty  bird, 
That  rived  and  blackened  all  the  air  ? 

How  thrilled  the  bravest  hearts  with  fear ! 
With  wings  that  brought  the  gloom  of  night, 

That  terror-bearing  creature  near 
Swooped  frightful  on  their  startled  sight. 

Still  down — and  down  ;  still  circling  nigh, 
While  deepened  more  the  shrouding  gloom  ; 

Still  down  —  and  down  ; — till  all  the  sky 
Shone  awful  with  impending  doom  ! 

How  fled  the  frightened  multitude— 
Fled  wild  and  shrieking  everywhere  ! 

While  calm  great  Hayo-went-ha  stood — 
He  and  the  little  maiden  fair. 


146  THE  LEAGUE   OF  THE  IKOQUOIS. 

• 

And  why  should  Hayo-went-ha  flee  ? 
Or  why  should  fear  his  heart  appall  ? 

Was  not  great  Oway-neo,  He 
The  Mighty  Ruler  over  all, 

Around  him  in  the  fearful  ways, 
As  in  the  path  that  peaceful  smiles  ? 

To  yield  him  more  these  frailer  days, 
Or  bear  him  to  the  Happy  Isles. 

Swift  sped  the  shafts  from  thousand  strings — 
Swift  sped,  and  true, —  hut  all  in  vain  ; 

For  though  the  monster's  frightful  wings 
Lay  shivered  on  the  crimson  plain,— 

A  cry,  that  startled  all  the  vale, 
That  shook  the  listening  sea  with  dread, 

Went  up  ;  —  a  wail  —  an  awful  wail 
For  her,  the  Chieftain's  darling — dead. 

And  wonder  more  their  sorrow  stirred  : 
For  lo  !  where  stood  the  little  maid, 

Killed  — dreadful !  — by  that  frightful  bird, 
Itself  crushed  dead  along  the  glade, 

Nor  lifeless  form  nor  human  trace 
Was  there,  nor  parted  vesture  found ; 

Though  strewn  with  plumes  was  all  the  place, 
And  blood-besprinkled  all  the  ground, 


THE  COUNCIL.  147 


And  over  Hayo-went-ha's  soul 
The  mighty  tides  of  anguish  swept ; 

He  bowed  him  to  their  fierce  control, 
And  sorely  sorrow-stricken  wept ; 

And  grief  from  bravest  hearts  outpoured — 
Rang  piercing  through  the  frightened  air ; 

Till  waking  Echo,  weeping,  heard 
The  wail  and  lamentation  there. 


Three  days  he  wept  beside  the  sea, — 
He  wept  till  he  could  weep  no  more  ; 

Three  days  of  tearful  agony 
Prostrate  he  lay  along  the  shore  ; 

Nor  tasted  food  day  after  day, 
Bemoaning  wild  her  sadder  fate  ; 

He  nothing  spake  —  as  dead  he  lay, 
Heart-broken  and  disconsolate. 

And  Nature,  grieving,  mourned  with  him  : 
As  brooding  her  untimely  doom, 

The  saddened  watch-fire  flickered  dim, 
The  midnight  wore  a  deeper  gloom  ; 

The  Moon  her  cloudy  mantle  drew 
In  sorrow  for  the  stricken  Chief; 

The  darkened  woods,  the  long  night  through, 
Stood  silent  in  the  hush  of  grief. 
20 


148  THE  LEAGUE   OF  THE  IBOQVOIS. 

Along  the  sea  more  lonesome  woke 
The  moaning  of  the  lonely  Mahng  ; 

The  great  Da-hin-da's  hoarser  croak 
From  out  the  brake  more  doleful  rang  ; 

The  Ko-ko-ko-ho's  mournful  hoot 
Blent  with  the  Wa-won-ais-se's  moan  ; 

The  troubled  waves,  with  swash  and  bruit, 
Lapsed  with  a  wailing  undertone. 

The  while  the  Council  still  delayed,— 
Delayed  his  wiser  speech  to  hear, 

When  he  his  deeper  grief  had  stayed. 
At  length  to  him  with  words  of  cheer 

Came  the  kind-hearted  Hosee  Noke ; 
His  head  upraising  from  the  ground, 

He  unto  Hayo-went-ha  spoke, 
Who  thence  a  little  comfort  found. 

Where  he  had  lain  upon  the  sands 
He  sat ; — his  trembling  knees  he  pressed ; 

His  gray  locks,  in  tear-tangled  strands, 
Fell  down  upon  that  aching  breast. 

But  broken  was  that  spell ;  allayed 
His  grief ;  him  meat  they  brought  and  bread ; 

He,  sitting  mute,  his  hunger  stayed, 
And  eating,  more  was  comforted. 


THE   COUNCIL.  149 

Erelong  amid  that  faithful  band 
He  stood  as  one  for  honor  meet, 

Majestic,  fitted  to  command ; 
Once  more  with  quickened  pulses  beat 

His  heart  within  a  tranquil  breast ; 
More  brightly  glowed  his  prophet-face, 

As  he  the  joy  and  peace  possessed 
Of  Oway-neo's  Shining  Place. 

0  Prophet  Soul !  to  thee  allowed, 
As  ever  to  the  good  and  wise, 

To  see  beyond  the  storm  and  cloud 
The  glimmer  of  the  morning-rise  ; 

And  loss  like  thine,  that  deeply  grieves 
The  heart  that  most  may  love  confess, 

Upon  the  chastened  spirit  leaves 
The  seal  of  every  nobleness. 

And  if  his  thought  still  wandered  prone 
To  her,  the  darling  little  maid, 

Or  her,  the  mother  far  and  lone, 
No  truant  tear  his  grief  betrayed. 

The  warrior  brave  alone  was  seen ; 
His  very  step — so  free  and  bold — 

Or  where  he  sat,  his  lofty  mien, 
Alone  of  valorous  purpose  told. 


150  THE  LEAGUE   OF  THE  IROQUOIS. 

Once  more  in  Wolf-skin  robe  arrayed, 
In  snowy  plume  and  eagle  crest, 

With  mighty  heart, — its  grief  allayed — 
With  all  the  greatness  of  the  past 

Again  returned,  calm  as  before 
Stood  OXGUE  HOKWE'S  noblest  Chief, — 

The  Council  called ;  remembering  more 
His  stricken  People's  greater  grief. 

His  royal  mantle,  wove  and  wrought 
With  to-tems  of  his  race  and  name, 

That  from  his  face  a  glory  caught, 
Shone  like  the  Council-kindled  flame  ; 

Where  fierce  the  Tortoise,  Wolf,  and  Bear 
Did  frown  and  glower,  as  in  a  cage 

The  living  beasts  were  prisoned  there, 
And  scarce  restrained  their  fiery  rage. 

Again  he  strode  with  kingly  tread, 
Or,  mid  the  braves  that  round  him  wait, 

Nor  token  showed  of  grief  or  dread, 
Sat — greatest  of  the  chieftains  great. 

With  grave  intent  he  listened  long  ; 
Heard  many  a  fiery  speaker  tell 

Of  all  his  People's  woe  and  wrong, 
Till  twilight's  deepening  shadows  fell. 


THE  COUNCIL.  151 

Then  rising,  brief  he  spoke  ;  he  said : 
"  Whom  the  Great  Spirit  hath  bereft, 

Again  —  nor  all  uncornforted— 
Before  you  stands.   Of  blessings  left 

Than  of  the  lost,  he  that  is  wise 
Takes  more  account ;  the  ills  of  Fate 

Blest  are  to  him  whose  heart  relies 
On  love  of  Oway-ueo  great.1' 

And — "  What  ye  spake,  braves,  I  have  heard. 
Haste  is  not  meet ;  whoso  is  wise 

Weighs  all,  and  finds  the  fitting  word  ;  — 
Nor  yet  too  late.     To  just  appraise 

What  in  our  need  may  profit,  seek 
Ye  counsel  of  to-morrow's  sun  ; 

Again  will  Hayo-went-ha  speak. 
He  that  has  said  it, — he  is  done." 

The  slow-departing  day  has  fled, 
The  shadows  deepen  on  the  land 

Where,  all  un vexed  of  coward  dread, 
Hope-girded  waits  that  noble  band 

Of  warrior  braves  ;  their  faces  lit 
Fierce,  like  the  flames  that  pale  and  glow, 

As  watching  late,  they  wary  sit 
Around  the  camp-fire,  blazing  low. 


152  THE  LEAGUE  OF  THE  IBOQVOIS. 

And  silence  with  the  brooding  night 
Falls  like  a  mantle  over  all, 

Save  where  along  the  rocky  height 
Is  heard  the  Ko-ko-ko-ho's  call ; 

The  soaring  Wa-wa's  honking  clang, 
Or  mournful  on  the  farther  sea 

The  crying  of  the  lonely  Mahng, 
Or  waves'  low-lapsing  minstrelsy. 


SPEECH 


—  OF  — 


HAYOWENT-HA, 


Made  potent  with  the  might  of  Speech 
Thought  holds  the  keys  of  Destiny ; 

And  borne  on  fieri/  lips  may  reach 
And  mold  the  Ages  yet  to  be. 

Whoso  can  speak  the  fitting  word 
When  darkly  threatening  perils  wait, 

His  tongue  is  mightier  than  the  sword 
To  shape  a  Nation's  future  fate. 


XIII 

SPEECH    OF   HAYO-WENT-HA. 

Ho  !  MY  PEOPLE  ! — all  ye  bands  ! 
ONGUE  HONWE'S  greatness  prove. 

He  that  now  before  you  stands 
Loves  you  with  a  father's  love  ; 

Love  that  wrongs  still  more  endear, 
Wrongs  this  grieving  heart  has  heard. 

All  ye  wandering  tribes  give  ear ! 
Hearken  Hayo-went-ha's  word. 


Fierce  is  your  Algonquin  foe  ; 
Far  the  wail  of  sorrow  wakes ; 

Noblest  braves  are  bowed  in  woe, 
Every  heart  with  anguish  aches  ; 

Dark  the  wigwams,  smouldering,  reek, 
Lurid  glares  the  ghastly  light ; 

Kax-aa's  cry  and  Yong-we's  shriek 
Make  more  hideous  the  night. 
21 


THE  LEAGUE   OF  THE  IliOQUOIS. 

Brothers  !  that  before  me  stand, 
Though  of  many  a  lodge  and  name, 

Though  of  many  a  tribe  and  band, 
One  in  hope  and  one  in  aim, 

And  may  one  in  greatness  grow, — 
Let  not  fear  your  hearts  appall ; 

But  remembering  this  our  foe 
Is  the  common  foe  of  all, — 

Hearken  !  Ye  that  far  have  come, 
Ye  that  nearer  dwell ! —  The  same 

Unto  all  alike  is  home  ; 
Dear  the  warrior's  name  and  fame  ; 

And, —  as  will  your  valor  prove, 
On  the  war-path  unafraid,— 

Dear  is  Yong-we's  heart  of  love, 
Dear  the  wigwam's  mat  and  shade. 


And  in  warning  sign  to-day, 
That  ye  see  not,  do  I  see 

In  the  coming  battle-fray 
Must  ye  more  than  brothers  be. 

By  the  friendly  hand  ye  reach 
Each  to  each,  ye  stand  or  fall ; 

Only  so  the  good  of  each 
Finding  in  the  good  of  all. 


SPEECH  OF  HAYO-W ENT-HA.  157 

Lo  !  this  mantle  that  I  bear, 
Mark  the  hem  that  glitters  so  ; 

In  each  fold,  bright  woven  there, 
See  our  warrior  to-tems  showr ! 

Part  the  thongs  that  interlace, 
All  this  beauty,  wondrous  wrought, 

Parted  from  its  use  and  place  — 
Many  a  piece — the  thing  were  naught. 

Now,  alas  !  my  people  all 
Like  the  separate  pieces  show  ; 

Severed  still,  they  can  but  fall, 
Strength  nor  use  nor  beauty  know. 

But  by  loving  bond  and  thong 
Wove,  as  is  this  wondrous  vest, 

Then  a  People  great  and  strong, 
And  by  Oway-neo  blest. 

Round  this  Council  Fire  to-day 
We  may  shape  the  future  fate 

Of  the  tribes,  that  severed  stray, 
To  a  Nation  wise  and  great. 

Singly  we  can  never  cope 
With  these  fierce  Algonquin  bands  ; 

Union  is  our  only  hope  — 
Union  of  our  hearts  and  hands. 


158  THE  LEAGUE  OF  THE  IROQUOIS. 

Ours  a  common  cause  must  be  ! 
But  one  hope  all  hearts  inspire  ; 

But  one  name,  one  destiny, 
But  one  pipe,  one  Council  Fire, 

But  one  war-club  must  we  know, 
Wielded  by  one  common  hand  ; 

One  war-cry,  one  warrior-bow, 
But  one  home,  one  common  land  ! 

Brothers  !  hearken  what  I  say  ! 
Hayo-went-ha's  words  are  good ; 

Union  is  our  hope  to-day — 
All  our  hope  in  brotherhood  ! 

If  you  wise  my  counsel  heed, 
Of  the  foe  that  now  we  fear 

Soon  shall  all  the  land  be  freed. 
Ho  !  each  separate  Tribe  give  ear  ! 

Mohawks, — 

Ye,  whose  footstep  lightly  treads 
Where  the  Great  Tree  branches  wide 

Far  its  greening  shelter  spreads, 
Ye  who  in  its  shade  abide, 

Ye  whose  hearts  are  bold  and  free, 
Ye  whose  arms  are  mighty  all 

Shall  among  the  ITations  be 
First  to  wake  the  Council-call. 


SPEECH  OF  HAYO-WENT-HA.  159 

Onondagas, — 

Ye,  whose  habitations  nigh 
By  the  Great -Hills  peaceful  keep  ; 

Near  by  Yo-nond,  beetling  high, 
Shadowed  by  its  cragged  steep  ; 

For  in  that  in  you  I  see — 
In  you  all — the  gifted  speech, 

Yours  the  second  place  shall  be ; 
Great  to  lead  and  great  to  teach. 

Senecas, — 

Ye,  whose  dwelling-place  is  where 
Wakes  Ku-ha-go's  sough  and  moan, 

Ye  whose  homes  are  builded  fair 
Tn  the  forest  dark  and  lone  ; 

For  in  that  you  greatly  show 
Cunning  in  the  hunter  chase, 

For  your  mighty  hunter-bow, 
Third  shall  be  your  Council-place. 

Oneidas, — 

Ye  who  in  the  Council  shine — 
On  the  war-path  mighty  grown  ; 

Ye  who  strong  and  great  recline 
By  the  Everlasting  Stone  ; 

That  you  counsel  always  wise, 
Neither  weak  nor  over-bold, 

Shall  you  great  in  Council  rise, 
Fourth  your  place  in  Council  hold. 


160  THE  LEAGUE   OF  THE  IROQVOIS. 

Cayugas, — 

Ye  whose  homes  are  builded  nigh 
Where  the  open  country  lies ; 

Ye  whose  wigwams,  wide  and  high, 
Show  a  skillful  hand  and  wise ; 

For  in  this,  that  in  your  fields 
Much  of  corn  and  beans  I  see, 

That  your  patient  labor  yields, 
Fifth  shall  in  the  Council  be.44 


Brothers  !  that  before  me  stand, 
Though  of  many  a  lodge  and  name, 

Though  of  many  a  tribe  and  band. 
One  in  hope  and  one  in  fame  ! 

In  this  bond  united  be  : 
None  shall  make  your  hearts  afraid  ; 

You  a  Nation  great  and  free, 
Never  foe  will  dare  invade. 


And  to  you  with  feeble  hands 
That  a  fishing  people  are  ; 

And  to  you  the  scattered  bands 
Widely  wandering  everywhere, 

Strength  shall  this  alliance  lend  ; 
So  the  weaker  may  not  fall, 

But  the  weakest  find  a  friend 
In  the  friendliness  of  all. 


SPEECH  OF  HAYO-WENT-UA.  161 

May  He,  Oway-neo  great, 
Smile  upon  your  Council-flame, 

And  his  blessing  on  you  wait  — 
Heighten  more  your  noble  fame  ; 

May  you  clvrell,  your  sorrows  passed, 
Happy  in  the  hunter-chase  ; 

And  your  foot-steps  tread  at  last 
Inigorio's  Shining  Place. 

But  dissevered,  evermore 
On  you  shall  the  fiery  frown 

Of  the  angry  Spirit  pour  ; 
War  and  famine  darken  down 

Over  all  your  goodly  land, 
Now  the  land  of  noble  braves  ; 

And  your  wigwams  ruined  stand, — 
Ruined — by  dishonored  graves  ! 

Often,  in  war's  wild  array, 
Shall  your  dread  Algonquin  foe 

Come  —  as  he  has  come  to-day  — 
Filling  all  the  land  with  woe. 

Or,  again,  more  fierce  and  bold, 
Come  the  Adirondack  fell, 

You  —  as  from  your  homes  of  old — 
From  this  fairer  land  expel.45 


162  THE  LEAGUE   OF  THE  1ROQUOIS. 

And  no  brave  that  coward  bleeds 
Shall  the  after-days  recall  ; 

All  your  mighty  fame  and  deeds 
In  the  war-storm  perished  all ! 

Till  on  every  land  and  shore 
Where  your  children  joyous  throng, 

Shall  your  names  be  heard  no  more 
In  the  dance  and  in  the  song. 

Brothers  !  hearken  what  I  say  !— 
Hayo-went-ha's  words  are  good  ; 

Union  is  our  hope  to-day  — 
All  our  hope  in  Brotherhood  ! 

If  by  this  my  counsel  led, 
Choose  ye  by  to-morrow's  sun  ; 

Hayo-went-ha,  he  has  said  — 
Hayo-went-ha,  he  is  done. 


HAYOWENT-HA'S 
MOURNING. 


22 


Who  tells  of  Life  the  story  through 
Must  of  its  gloom  and  shadoiv  shoir ; 

Who  sings  of  Love  in  numbers  true 
Must  wake  at  whiles  a  song  of  ivoe. 

No  heart  in  any  human  breast 
In  any  land,  in  any  age, 

The  noblest  born,  the  lowliest, 
But  bears  a  tear-dimmed  sorrow-page, 


HAYO-WENT-HA'S    MOURNING. 

To  THE  MIDNIGHT'S  brooding  star 
Brightly  Onondaga  shows ; 

On  Yo-non-to's  summit  far 
Faintly  dim  the  watch-fire  glows  ; 

Lone  the  Ko-ko-ko-ho's  call 
Echoes  from  the  rocky  steep  ; 

Hoarse  the  Wa-wa's  honkings  fall 
Sad  along  the  lonely  deep. 

Lo  !  upon  the  shining  sands 
Hayo-went-ha  lingers  late ; 

Lone  the  mighty  Chieftain  stands 
Brooding  dark  his  sorrow  great ; 

On  his  royal  mantle  fair 
Sparkles  many  a  costly  gem ; 

0-jis-hon-da  brightly  there 
Twinkle  in  each  beaded  hem. 


166  THE  LEAGUE  OF  THE  IBOQUOIS. 

Like  a  dirge,  the  sorrow-moan 
That  the  night-birds,  waking,  sing 

To  his  anguished  breast  alone. 
Clear  the  dew-drops  pearly  cling, 

Glistening  on  each  shrub  and  tree  ; 
Tears  are  they  by  Nature  shed, — 

Tears  of  loving  sympathy 
For  the  dear,  untimely  dead. 

Through  the  moonlight  falling  faint 
Where  the  deeper  shadows  gloam, 

In  the  Wa-won-ais-se's  plaint 
Hears  he  still  the  voice  of  home ; 

Hears  he  a  lament  and  sigh 
In  the  zephyr,  winging  on  ; 

Like  his  darling's  dying  cry 
Seems  the  sighing  of  the  Swan. 

On  he  wends  in  deeper  care, 
Pensive  on  the  lonely  trail ; 

Lo  !  he  startles,  —  what  is  there  ? 
And  his  cheek  is  wan  and  pale  ;  — 

Now  is  seen— 'and  now  is  gone, — 
Yanished — like  the  little  maid. 

It  is  but  the  frightened  fawn 
Springing  in  the  dusky  shade. 


HAYO-WENT-HA'S  MOURNING.  167 

Slowly,  as  in  anxious  quest, 
With  a  measured  step  he  strides  ; 

Greatly  heaves  his  mighty  breast, 
As  a  mighty  grief  it  hides. 

Now  he  stalks  with  mournful  gaze 
Far  along  the  pebbly  strand ; 

Now  his  troubled  feet  he  stays 
On  the  blood-besprinkled  sand. 

There  still  lies  the  awful  bird, 
Wide  its  broken  wings  are  spread : 

Now  his  deeper  soul  is  stirred, 
Grieving  for  the  loved  one  dead  ; 

To  his  yearning  fatherhood 
Now  he  bows  his  lofty  pride ; 

Now  is  loosed  the  anguished  flood. 
Where  the  beauteous  maiden  died. 


Low  he  bends  upon  the  sands 
Red  with  many  a  crimson  stain  ; 

Now  he  wrings  his  brawny  hands 
In  his  deepening  grief  and  pain  ; 

Tears  that  at  their  fountain  stayed 
Water  all  the  grassy  plain— 

Pouring  for  the  little  maid 
He  shall  never  see  again. 


168  THE  LEAGUE   OF  THE  IROQUOIS. 

Now  lie  in  his  sorrow  cries 
Till  the  woods  with  sorrow  wake, 

On  the  night-wind  wails  and  sighs 
As  his  loving  heart  would  break ; 

Till  the  lowly  listening  sea 
Answers  from  its  farther  shore : 

"Woe  is  me  !  Oh,  woe  is  me  !— 
Woe  is  me  forevermore  ! ! " 

Other  thoughts  more  poignant  stir 
In  his  heart  that  wanders  prone, 

Pierced  and  bleeding,  unto  her, — 
Her,  the  mother,  waiting  lone 

In  the  Yong-we's  home  and  place  ; 
Now  with  tearful  eyes  and  red, 

Soon,  alas  !  to  wail  and  cry 
For  her  precious  darling  dead. 

Up  and  down  the  purple  shore 
Wanders  dark  the  stricken  chief; 

In  his  sorrow  sorrowing  more 
For  her  trouble,  pain  and  grief : 

In  the  wigwam  left  behind, 
Mourning  for  her  parted  child, 

She  will  never  comfort  find 
For  her  anguish  fierce  and  wild. 


HAYO-WENT-HA'S  MOURNING.  169 

Hark  ! — in  many  a  sigh  and  moan, — 
Oh,  alas  !  that  he  must  go 

In  his  Chee-maun  all  alone 
Where  Ti-o-to's  billows  flow  ! 

Evermore  to  weep  and  yearn, 
To  the  wigwam's  mat  and  shade 

How  can  he  again  return 
Taking  not  the  little  maid  ?46 

How  the  bitter  tidings  bear  ? 
Oh,  what  ill  might  her  betide, 

Seeing  Hayo-went-ha  there, 
But  no  maiden  by  his  side  ! 

How  that  dearer  heart  would  ache  ! 
Can  he  meet  that  tearful  gaze  ? 

Oh,  the  tender  heart  may  break- 
On.,  the  darkened  after-days ! 

If  to  go  is  sorest  grief, 
Not  to  go  —  it  deepens  more ; 

Who  can  give  her  pain  relief, 
Waiting  on  that  troubled  shore  ? 

Watching  through  the  lonely  day 
Through  the  lonely  night  in  vain, 

For  the  loved  ones  far  away, 
She  will  never  see  again. 


170  THE  LEAGUE  OF  THE  IROQUOIS. 

Nobler  soul !    Though  uncontrolled 
Is  the  woe  thy  bosom  knows ; 

In  its  anguish  unconsoled, 
In  each  loving  tear  that  flows, 

For  the  loved  ones  pouring  free  ; 
In  thy  pierced  and  bleeding  breast, 

In  its  pulse  of  agony 
Is  thy  greatness  more  confessed. 

Oh,  methinks  the  mighty  heart 
Bravest  in  the  battle-strife, 

Sorrowed,  feels  a  keener  smart ! 
He  that  girds  a  noble  life, 

He  that  deeds  heroic  dares, 
Deeds  that  most  do  greatness  prove, — 

Deeper  pain  his  bosom  bears, 
Throbbing  with  its  larger  love. 

Yet  shall  he,  so  sorely  pressed 
By  the  evil  hand  of  fate, 

Owning  in  a  deeper  breast 
Love  of  Oway-neo  great, 

Soonest  in  the  darkened  years 
Yield  the  pain  of  ills  that  throng 

To  the  medicine  of  tears, — 
In  the  Faith  Immortal  strong. 


THE    LEAGUE 


0  /  peerless  dream  of  Brotherhood  ! 
Thou  art  Man's  noblest  heritage  ; 

The  perfect  State,  the  final  good 
That  still  delays  from  age  to  age. 


Thy  fairest  fruit  still  ripens  late, 
0  !  Tree  of  Life  !  thy  blossoms  new 

Give  rarer  promise ;  —  still  u-e  ivait 
The  years  to  make  their  promise  true. 


XV 


THE    LEAGUE. 

Itf  ALL  his  greatness  unsubdued, 
Nor  trace  betrayed  of  sorest  grief, 

He  wore  again  his  lofty  mood— 
He,  ONGUE  HOJOVE'S  noblest  Chief; 

In  royal  mantle  rich  arrayed, 
The  royal  mantle  woven  fair, 

That  showed  in  many  a  to-teni  braid 
Inwove,  the  Tortoise,  Wolf  and  Bear. 

Though  in  the  kindling  Council-flame 
They  frowned  and  glowered  as  in  a  cage, 

The  mighty  beasts,  and  all  untamed, 
Could  scarce  restrain  their  fiery  rage  ;  — 

They  on  that  tranquil  bosom  great 
Now  low  with  peaceful  look  reclined  ; 

As  if  they  took  the  hue  and  state 
Of  Hayo-went-ha's  mood  and  mind. 


174  THE  LEAGUE   OF  THE  IROQUOIS. 

Again, — the  Council  called, — he  broke 
The  silence  with  his  manly  word. . 

Though  Hayo-went-ha  little  spoke, 
The  waiting  braves,  that  eager  heard, 

Rapt  hung  upon  his  every  tone 
With  reverence  not  unmixed  with  awe  ; 

As  if  in  him,  so  proud  to  own 
Their  chieftain,  they  their  savior  saw. 

"Brothers  !  wherefore  should  I  speak  ? 
More  can  Hayo-went-ha  say  ? 

You  —  the  after-thought  is  weak  — 
Heard  his  word  of  yesterday  ; 

Heard  what  Hayo-went-ha  spake, 
Word  of  Hayo-went-ha  true  ; 

Shall  to-day  the  Council  break, — 
But  to-day  is  left  to  do. 

"  Fair  the  smiles  that  on  us  fall 
From  Great  Oway-neo  won  ; 

Lo  !  his  cloudy  garments  all 
Has  he  taken  from  the  sun  ; 47 

He  that  sees  with  clearer  sight, 
Knowing  all  our  heart's  desire, 

Mildly,  with  approving  light, 
Brightens  on  our  Council  Fire. 


THE  LEAGUE.  175 

"  In  His  love  alone  we  rest ; 
He  be  praised  for  every  good ; 

So  may  be  oiir  Council  blest, 
And  our  every  foe  subdued  ; 

Only  He  can  shield  from  harm 
When  our  fiercer  foes  assail ; 

Only  in  His  mighty  arm 
May  our  weaker  hand  prevail. 

"  Brothers  !  that  must  ever  be 
One  in  hope  and  one  in  fame, 

In  your  eyes  a  light  I  see 
Brighter  than  the  Council-flame 

When  its  midnight  brightness  fell ; 
And  I  augur  from  its  ray 

You  have  pondered  wisely  well 
On  my  word  of  yesterday. 

"  Brothers  !  that  before  me  stand, 
Though  of  many  a  lodge  and  name, 

Though  of  many  a  tribe  and  baud  ; 
One  in  hope,  and  one  in  aim  ; 

Shall  we  stand — or  shall  we  fall  ?  — 
Are  my  words  of  counsel  good  ? 

Are  your  hands  for  Union  all  ? 
Are  your  hearts  for  Brotherhood  ?  " 


176  THE  LEAGUE  OF  THE  IROQUOIS. 

There  fell  a  hush  on  all  the  land  — 
A  hush  portentous  as  a  cry  ; 

Then  with  one  tongue,  one  purpose  grand, 
In  peal  on  peal  that  thundered  by, 

Broke  from  the  answering  multitude  : 
"Yea!    Knee-hah !    Knee-hah !    E-ghe-aP 

Reechoed  from  the  farthest  wood  — 

"Yea!  Father,  Father,  yea !"  and  "yea!" 

#  #  #  #  *  * 

Ere  sank  the  scream  of  wakened  bird 
To  silence  on  the  widening  plain  ; 

Ere  Echo  there,  that  startled  heard, 
Had  ceased  to  answer  back  <igain  ; 

Ere  stilled  afar  the  lonely  Mahng 
Its  fright-awakened  moan  and  sigh  ; 

The  scared  Key-oshk  its  noisy  clang, 
The  great  Ke-neu  its  stormy  cry  ;  — 

He,  Hayo-went-ha,  rose  again, 
And  silence  011  the  moment  fell ; 

He  only  said  :  "Ye  noble  men  — 
Ye  ONGUE  HONWE — that  is  well." 

And  what  if  eyes  with  tears  were  dim 
If  so  they  most  might  love  confess ; 

He  blessed  them  for  their  love  of  him, 
But  more  for  love  of  nobleness. 


THE  LEAGUE.  177 

Then  from  beneath  his  wondrous  vest 
He  drew  the  mighty  symbol-roll, 

With  many  a  mystic  sign  impressed  — 
A  curious  hieroglyphic  scroll. 

He  forth  the  sacred  parcel  brought 
And  on  the  ground  outspread  it  wide  ; 

The  snowy  parchment  dressed  and  wrought 
From  great  Skan-o-do's  hairy  hide.48 

And  every  line  whose  beauty  graced 
That  picture-writing  wide  unrolled, 

That  Hayo-went-ha?s  hand  had  traced, 
Of  Hayo-went-ha's  wisdom  told ; 

He,  Oway-neo's  Prophet  true, 
And  greatly  taught  in  knowledge  thence, 

Of  type  and  sign  and  symbol  knew 
He  all  the  marvelous  secret  sense. 

First  on  that  picture-page  the  sun  — 
The  rising  sun  —  was  painted  fair ; 

The  emblem  of  the  Mighty  One 
Whose  dwelling-place  is  everywhere. 

And  dark  was  seen  the  gloomy  night 
Retreating  on  a  stormy  track  ; 

As  He  alone  with  shining  light 
Could  drive  the  awful  shadows  back. 


178  THE  LEAGUE  OF  THE  IROQU01S. 

Near  Onondaga's  billows  were, 
Afar  the  lofty  Yo-nond  stood ; 

And  many  a  goodly  land  and  fair 
He  pictured  —  wide  with  wave  and  wood  ; 

With  lake  and  river,  hill  and  vale,  . 
And  grassy  plain  outstretched  between, 

Where,  traced  with  each  familiar  trail, 
His  scattered  People's  homes  were  seen. 

And  large  amid  the  symbols,  framed 
He  fierce  the  Tortoise,  Wolf  and  Bear, 

As  in  the  forest  free,  untamed  ; 
For  these  their  signs  armorial  were, 

The  warriors'  royal  heraldry, — 
Their  marks  and  to-tems  savage,  bold ; 

And  seeing,  each  well. knew  that  they 
Of  cunning,  patience,  valor  told. 

And  bright  beneath  the  rising  sun 
That  seemed  the  place  to  guard  and  bless, 

Five  lofty  wigwams  all  in  one 
Were  seen,  yet  separate  none  the  less ; 

And  this  the  sense,  the  meaning  lent: 
The  five  in  one  of  Union  showed  ; 

And  separate  none  the  less,  it  meant 
The  Union  wrought  of  Brotherhood. 


Till':  LEAGUE  179 

And  there  were  drawn  five  brawny  hands, 
And  none  were  great  and  none  were  small ; 

Therein  was  told — the  several  bands 
United,  should  be  equal  all ; 

And  in  each  hand  a  bended  bow, 
From  each  an  arrow  speeding  fair  ; 

In  this  the  picture  sought  to  show 
That  all  should  equal  burdens  bear. 

Far-shining  glowed  the  Council-flame  ; 
Around  it  mighty  sachems  sit 

Enrobed  in  garb  of  warrior-fame, 
With  painted  faces,  glory-lit ; 

And  fairest  forms  of  womanhood  ; 
Therein  this  truth  he  sought  to  trace : 

In  cares  of  state — as  Woman  should— 
Should  Woman  have  her  part  and  place.49 

Bright  011  her  matron  brow  was  shown, 
And  glowing  like  a  coronet, 

And  on  her  matron  brow  alone  — 
The  royal  signet,  regal  set ; 

And  this  I  read  on  pictured  page, 
Where  wisdom's  symbols  glow  and  shine  : 

In  her  all  titled  lineage — 
Through  her  the  sachem's  noble  line.60 


180  THE  LEAGUE  OF  THE  IEOQUOIS. 

Of  beasts  that  roam  the  wild  and  wood 
Did  savage  many  a  likeness  show  : 

The  fiercer  Yek-wai,  fat  and  good, 
The  hungry-howling  0-kwa-ho ; 

Skan-o-do  with  his  antlered  head, 
The  snowy  Wau-bos,  tender-eyed, 

The  Jit-sho,  with  his  wary  tread, 
The  Ne-gig  with  his  sleeky  hide. 

And  many  u  wondrous  bird  he  drew 
That  clove  the  air  or  swam  the  sea : 

The  war-bird,  him,  the  great  Ke-neu, 
The  Wa-wa  and  the  Wau-be-zee  ; 

And  many  a  home-bird,  such  as  sings 
To  charm  the  wigwam's  waiting  rest ; 

The  Shaw-shaw  with  its  shiny  wing, 
The  Wa-won-ais-se's  tender  breast ; 

Great  0-nust,  bright  with  glowing  ears, 
And  wigwams  glad  with  happy  bands, 

And  bended  bows  and  sharpened  spears, 
And  plumed  warriors,  clasping  hands. 

A  lofty  tree,  all  leafy-green, 
Outspread  its  branches  high  and  wide, 

Where  sat  the  sachems  wise,  serene, 
In  unity  and  love  allied. 


THE  LEAGUE.  181 

Round  all  his  hand  a  circle  drew— 
Hill,  vale  and  mountain,  plain  and  tree  ; 

In  this  was  seen  the  witness  true 
Of  Union  that  should  endless  be. 

A  thousand  forms  their  meaning  lent ; 
Each  type  and  symbol,  understood, 

Was  seen  the  sign  and  instrument 
Of  Union  and  of  Brotherhood. 

And  every  line  whose  beauty  graced 
That  strangely-written  picture-scroll 

That  Hayo-went-ha's  hand  had  traced, 
Of  Hayo-went-ha's  wisdom  told; 

And  where  he  stood,  he,  pointing  to 
Device  and  symbol,  speaking  thence, 

From  each  its  secret  meaning  drew, 
Expounding  all 'its  wondrous  sense. 

Then  forth  the  wampum-belt  was  brought : 
The  precious  beads  were  wove  and  strung, 

Each  with  its  mystic  meaning  fraught ; 
The  belt  that  speaks  with  wondrous  tongue  — 

The  symbols'  import  still  unfolds 
That  on  the  snowy  parchment  stood  ; 

The  covenant  and  record  holds — 
Deed  of  that  noble  Brotherhood.51 


182  THE  LEAGUE   OF  THE  IROQUOIS. 


And  when  into  each  shining  strand 
Was  braided  all  their  thought's  intent, 

Unto  the  wisest  sachem's  hand 
He  gave  the  mighty  instrument ; M 

To  guard  and  keep  its  sacred  page, 
Interpret  all  its  mystery, 

Its  prudent  laws,  its  precepts  sage, — 
To  make  a  people  great  and  free. 

And,  counseling  each  chieftain  brave 
As  he  had  been  a  worthy  son, 

He  unto  ench  his  blessing  gave 
As  forth  he  called  them  —  one  by  one, 

To  paint  and  trace  with  willing  hand 
Beneath  the  Tortoise,  Wolf  and  Bear, 

The  to-tems  of  each  lodge  and  band, 
Their  names  and  tribal  to-tems  there. 


Then  Oway-neo's  Prophet  true, 
Great  Hayo-went-ha,  wise  and  good, 

Who  forth  the  dusky  nations  drew, 
Who  foremost  in  the  Council  stood  ; 

Who  stayed  with  love  war's  wasting  brand, 
Quelled  olden  feud  and  fell  intrigue, — 

Sealed  with  his  noble  name  and  hand 
That  Aquan-uschi-oni  League. 


THE    FEAST, 


How  had  it  marred  the  joy  complete, 
The  sweet  content  from  dangers  passed, 

If  they,  iv~ho  now  to  break  their  fast, 
Of  beast,  of  bread,  of  fish  did  eat,  — 

Who  with  the  Master  sat  at  meat, 
Had  known  that  feast  would  be  the  last. 


XVI 


THE    FEAST. 

THREE  times  had  climbed  the  morning  sun, 
Now  hanging  at  his  highest  noon  ; 

Three  times  on  midnight  shadows  dun 
The  flaming  camp-fire  light  had  shone ; 

Three  days  beside  the  foaming  sea 
The  counseled  warrior-braves  had  stood  ; 

Er"e  long  for  mighty  deeds  to  be 
Renowned, —  a  noble  Brotherhood ! 


Though  fear  had  fanned  the  Council-flame, 
Hope  sweetly  brightened  on  its  close  ; 

And  weaker  hearts,  that  trembling  came, 
Would  valiant  meet  their  fiercer  foes ; 

A  thousand  warriors,  painted  gay, 
Elate  of  friendly  Union  won, 

Would  wait  the  feast,  then  far  away 
Would  bear  the  joyful  tidings  on. 


186  THE  LEAGUE   OF  THE  IROQUOIS. 

Three  days  they  had  not  tasted  meat, 
But  with  sublimest  purpose  wrought, 

Toiling  through  fast  to  make  complete 
The  fabric  of  their  mighty  Thought, 

Shaped  in  those  fearful  Council-days, 
To  live  when  all  the  braves  had  passed ; 

That  all  the  after  years  should  praise  : — 
Now  they  again  would  break  their  fast. 

With  savor  that  did  most  delight 
Each  hungry  sense, —  so  sweet  and  good, 

In  many  a  bowl  all  snowy  white, 
The  Scho-ta-sa-min  baking  stood  ; 

Great  0-nust,  smoking,  waited  hot 
In  many  a  cake  ;  the  hunters1  game 

Steamed  fragrant  in  each  earthen  pot, 
Hung  reeking  round  the  hissing  flame. 

The  fruit  of  many  a  hunter-bow : 
Skan-o-do  from  the  leafy  wood, 

The  hungry-howling  0-kwa-ho, 
The  fiercer  Yek-wai  fat  and  good  ; 

The  wily  Be-zhu  prowling  dread, 
The  Me-sha-way  with  antlers  wide, 

The  Jit-sho  with  his  wary  tread, 
The  snowy  Wau-bos  tender-eyed. 


THE  FEAST,  187 

With  many  a  scaly  beast  that  leaps 
And  flounders  in  the  watery  caves  ; 

Great  Dodi-ah-to  from  the  deeps, 
The  Sah-wa  from  the  shallow  waves  ; 

Jik-on-sis  with  his  speckled  breast, 
0-nok-sa  glistening  like  the  morn, 

Da-hin-da  in  his  shining  vest, 
U-no-wul  in  his  shell  of  horn. 

And  many  a  bird  that  ran  or  flew : 
The  Ta-wis  and  the  Oghk-we-se, 

The  So-ha-ut  of  sable  hue, 
The  Ka-ka  and  the  Kwa-ra-re. 

And  many  a  fowl  that  clanged  the  spring  : 
The  quacking  So-ra  from  the  brake, 

The  Wau-be-zee  with  downy  wing, 
The  honking  Wa-wa  from  the  lake. 

Great  Ke-ka-dah-nong  on  the  sand, 
K wan-Run-ge-a-gosh  on  the  tide  ;  — 

All  creatures  of  the  sea  and  land 
Had  yielded  up  their  lives  and  died. 

Of  fish  and  reptile,  bird  and  beast, 
Or  named  or  nameless,  there  and  then 

Was  wide  outspread  the  mighty  feast 
To  feed  a  thousand  hungry  men." 
25 


188  THE  LEAGUE   OF  THE  IROQUOIS. 

And  Hayo-went-ha,  rising  there, 
While  brightened  more  his  prophet-face, 

With  presence  meet  and  reverent  <iir, 
He  murmured  simplest  words  of  grace : 

"  Be  unto  the  Great  Spirit  praise  ; 
Lo  !  has  he  all  our  wants  supplied  ; 

If  grateful  hearts  we  bear  always, — 
So  shall  he  evermore  provide." 

As  mindful  of  all  courtesy 
And  just  respect  to  greatness  due, 

They  of  the  parts  that  sweetest  be 
Of  bird  or  beast  or  soup  or  stew, — 

Though  waiting  sore  with  hunger  pressed, 
Their  honored  Chief  to  honor  more, 

Of  all  the  parts  they  chose  the  best 
And  unto  Hayo-went-ha  bore.64 

Then  unto  each,  or  chief  or  brave, 
They  brought,  nor  overlooked  the  least ; 

But  as  is  fit,  in  order  gave 
To  each  a  portion  of  the  feast ; 

From  roasting  meat,  or  steaming  pot, 
With  flesh  of  beast,  or  fowl  or  fish, 

Or  cake  of  0-nust,  smoking  hot, 
Was  oft  refilled  each  empty  dish. 


THE  FEAST.  189 

As  glad  they  would  the  hour  delay, 
In  free,  but  not  unseemly  mirth, 

With  laugh  and  jest  they  whiled  the  day ; 
With  friendly  gossip,  little  worth, 

Or  story  humorous  did  grace 
The  social  hour, —  or  interspersed 

The  bold  adventures  of  the  chase  ; 
Or  deeds  of  other  days  rehearsed. 

Nor  ended  was  that  goodly  feast 
Till  last  of  all  the  hunter's  game, 

Of  fish  or  reptile,  bird  or  beast, 
That  hung  around  the  hissing  flame, 

By  hand  with  hunger's  strength  imbued, 
Each  bone  from  bone  was  torn  and  cleft ; 

Still  ate  and  ate  the  multitude 
Till  all  were  filled,  and  naught  was  left. 

Then  forth  the  waiting  pipe  was  brought : S5 
Unto  the  genial,  calm  content 

The  feast  in  every  breast  had  wrought, 
Its  cheerful,  soothing  solace  lent ; 

And  touched  as  with  enchanter's  wand, 
Their  eyes  beyond  the  wreathing  mist 

Far-looking,  saw  the  Shining  Land, — 
The  happy  Spirit's  Home  and  rest. 


190  THE  LEAGUE  OF  THE  IROQUOIS. 

While  as  the  long  day  slowly  wore, 
Apart  the  patriarchs  sedate 

Sat  pensive,  as  they  thoughtful  bore 
The  burdens  and  the  cares  of  state  ; 

Or,  so  they  thought  to  understand 
The  will  —  so  little  understood — 

Of  him,  the  mighty  Wa-zha-wand, — 
Still  pondering  on  their  people's  good. 

With  bony  quoits  and  plum-stone  dice, 
With  each  its  number,  place  and  rank 

On  which  is  carved  a  strange  device, — 
Vnd  these  do  count,  and  those  are  blank,- 

The  youthful  warriors  stand  or  sit 
To  take  in  turn  their  chance  and  throw ; 

Their  faces  weird  and  passion-lit, 
In  wizard  game  of  Kun-ta-soo. 

Now  one  elate,  the  bowl  he  shakes, 
But  turns  unlucky  number, —  fails  ; 

Another  hand  the  venture  takes, — 
Perchance  a  lucky  cast  prevails  ; 

He  that  has  lost  his  shaft  and  bow 
Will  find  a  better  fortune  yet ; 

The  next  may  be  a  happy  throw — 
He  higher  piles  the  stake  and  bet. 


THE  FEAST.  191 

The  eagle-plumes  that  him  arrayed, 
His  pipe  that  sweetest  solace  brought, 

His  costly  belts  of  wampum-braid, 
His  pouches  —  all  his  hands  have  wrought, 

He  stakes  upon  uncertain  throws, 
The  very  moccasins  he  wears ; 

Or,  as  the  game  to  frenzy  grows, 

v- 

The  wolf-skin  robe  his  bosom  bears. 

And  some,  the  braves  of  lighter  mood, 
Whose  joy  in  wildest  echoes  rang, 

Along  the  sward  or  sat  or  stood, 
Or  ran  or  wrestled,  whooped  or  sang ; 

While  from  each  string,  swift-speeding  free, 
Afar  the  willing  arrows  sped ; 

Or  darkly  clashed  on  barky  tree 
The  flinty  war-ax,  winging  dread. 

Or  wide  anon  the  challenge  ran 
With  many  a  noisy  shout  and  call, 

As  chose  the  leaders  each  his  man 
For  nobler  game  of  Bat  and  Ball. 

They  here  the  nearest  limit  set, 
And  there  they  fix  the  farthest  goal ; 

Still  piling  high  the.  stake  and  bet 
Of  blankets,  weapons,  trinkets — all.66 


192  THE  LEAGUE  OF  THE  IROQUOIS. 

Then  midway  there  the  ball  they  brought ; 
Tossed  high  in  air ;  each  waiting  bat 

Of  hundred  arms,  and  stalwart,  sought 
To  catch  it ;  while  this  way  and  that 

It  whirled  and  sped  along  the  plain  ;  — 
Now  this,  and  now  that  bound  was  nigh  ; 

Then  stayed ;  —  in  triumph  back  again 
Was  brought  —  with  scuffle,  shout  and  cry. 

Still  each  with  each  did  strive  and  cope  — 
Did  race  and  scamper  back  and  forth  ; 

And  each  in  turn  elate  with  hope, 
As  east  or  west  or  south  or  north, 

Swept  by  the  adverse  struggling  throng, 
It  leaped  and  tossed  and  bounded  on  ; 

Until,  by  him  most  fleet  and  strong 
Borne  past  the  goal,  the  game  was  won. 
***** 

While  yet  the  feast  betokened  glad, 
Where  late  the  solemn  council  broke 

Sat  Hayo-went-ha,  brooding  sad, 
And  little  ate  and  nothing  spoke ; 

As  bowed  in  fear  or  wrapped  in  awe, 
Or  felt  the  touch  of  sorrow  dim  ; 

Some  waiting  grief;  —  whate'er  he  saw, 
The  shadow  darkened  but  to  him. 


THE  FEAST.  193 

Swift  wore  the  day  in  joy  and  mirth  : 
On  noblest  deed  of  Union  won, 

Fair  smiled  the  glory-mantled  earth 
Lit  by  the  slow-descending  sun. 

And  with  the  falling  peace  and  rest 
That  lay  on  all  the  forest  dim, 

There  kindled  in  each  dusky  breast 
The  thought  of  home  that  waited  him. 

Through  gloomy  miles  of  wooded  wild 
He  sees  the  wigwam  bright  arrayed  ; 

He  sees,  perchance,  a  wife  and  child 
Sit  trembling,  of  the  foe  afraid. 

Or  the  young  brave,  late  lightly  gay, 
Feels  all  his  manly  bosom  yearn 

Unto  the  maiden  far  away, 
Now  lonely  waiting  his  return. 

Again  at  Hayo-went-ha's  call 
His  lowly  People  listening  stood  ; 

A  thousand  warriors,  valiant  all, 
And  now  a  noble  Brotherhood  ; 

Their  footsteps  lightly  nearer  drew— 
In  silence  pressed  the  grassy  sward  ; 

To  yield  to  him  the  reverence  due, 
The  dear  regard,  love's  best  reward. 


194  THE  LEAGUE  OF  THE  IROQUOIS. 

The  westering  sun  that  tranquil  shone 
Seemed  burdened  with  a  mourn  fulness  ; 

Or  something  in  his  deeper  tone, 
Portent  of  what  they  might  not  guess, 

They  felt,  when  Hayo-went-ha  spoke  ;  — 
Foreboding  sad,  though  none  might  tell 

What  grief  presaged,  that  darkly  woke 
The  troubled  dread  of  coming  ill. 

No  brow  but  showed  a  trace  of  care, 
No  eye  but  free  bedewed  the  plain 

With  tears,  as  Yo-yo-hon-to  there 
Ran  —  brimming  with  the  summer  rain. 

And  close  and  closer  round  him  drew 
The  braves,  the  Avhile  their  hearts  were  stirred 

To  listen  to  his  last  adieu, — 
To  Hayo-went-ha's  parting  word. 


HAYOWENT-HA'S 
PARTING    WORDS 


26 


A  new  Evangel,  greater  than 
The  world  has  known,  the  Ages  wait; 

To  every  race,  or  soon  or  late, 
Is  born  a  Truth-inspired  Man, 

Some  spirit  ivise  to  teach  and  lead: 
And  happy  they  who,  high  or  low, 

Their  risen  Prophet,  seeing,  know,— 
His  wiser  precepts  hark  and  heed. 


XYII 


HAYO-WENT-HA'S  PARTING  WORDS. 

BKOTHERS  ! — that  before  me  stand — 
Brothers  !  I  do  love  you  well ; 

Hearken  !  Brothers  hearken  ! !  —  and 
Do  not  grieve  for  that  I  tell ; 

Hayo-went-ha  takes  to-day 
For  the  last  your  parting  hand  ; 

Hayo-went-ha  goes  away, — 
Goes  he  to  the  Spirit  Land. 

He  can  see  a  glory  shine 
You  may  see  not ;  and  from  thence 

Comes  the  warning  and  the  sign : 
Hayo-went-ha  hastens  hence ; 

Leaves  you  at  the  close  of  day, 
Leaves  you  at  the  set  of  sun ; 

Hayo-went-ha  may  not  stay, 
Hayo-went-ha1  s  work  is  done. 


198  THE  LEAGUE   OF  THE  IROQUOIS. 

0  my  People  !  unto  you 
All  these  years,  and  not  in  vain, 

Has  he  been  as  father  true, 
Bearing  all  your  grief  and  pain  ; 

And  each  widely  scattered  band, 
Dwelling  in  the  farthest  wood, 

Has  he  taught  to  understand 
Well  his  precepts  wise  and  good. 

Taught  you  how  to  build  with  pride 
Homes  where  comforts  more  abound  ; 

Build  your  wigwams  high  and  wide, 
Softly  matting  all  the  ground  ; 

Of  the  to-tem's  use  and  place, 
Of  the  Tortoise,  Wolf,  and  Bear — 

All  the  symbols  of  our  race  ; 
Of  the  Wampum,  braided  fair. 

Toiling,  he  with  patient  hand 
Widened  all  the  grassy  plain  ; 

Cleared  the  rivers  ;  by  his  hand 
Were  the  frightful  monsters  slain ; 

Made  he  fairer  hunting-grounds, 
Where  Skan-o-do,  0-kwa-ho  — 

All  the  nobler  game  abounds  ; 
Wrought  for  you  the  hunter-bow. 


HAYO-WENT-HA'S  PARTING  WORDS.          199 

All  the  flinty  missiles  wrought ; 
Shaped  the  arrow,  strung  the  bow 

With  such  mighty  blessings  fraught ; 
All  their  use  he  showed  to  you. 

All  the  good  of  labor  born  : 
How  to  mellow  well  the  fields  ; 

How  to  tend  the  springing  corn, 
That  such  grateful  bounty  yields. 

Now,  where  in  remembered  years 
Only  frightful  monsters  trod, 

Shine  great  0-nust's  luscious  ears, 
Scho-ta-sa-min's  wondrous  pod  ; 

And  the  farthest  valleys  show 
Fair  in  Autumn's  windy  days 

Happy  maids  that  come  and  go, — 
Bearing  home  tho  ripened  maize. 

Often,  where  might  knowledge  show 
JMost  her  sacred  mystery 

Unto  him  that  yearns  to  know, 
In  his  Chee-maun  journeyed  he 

Far  away  ;  —  again  returned  : 
Seeking  —  wisdom  sought  to  find  ; 

More  life's  deeper  secrets  learned, 
Bringing  thence  a  wiser  mind. 


200  THE  LEAGUE   OF  THE  IROQUOIS. 

Standing  in  the  Council-place 
Has  he  taught  you  to  be  strong 

In  the  battle,,  in  the  chase  ; 
Ever  swift  to  right  the  wrong, 

And  no  less  the  good  requite — 
To  be  wise  as  to  be  great ; 

Taught  you  that  the  arm  of  might 
Must  on  Oway-neo  wait. 

Though  the  warrior's  noble  crown 
Is  the  trophy  and  the  scar, 

And  the  glorious  renown 
Won  in  honorable  war  ;  — 

Taught  he  of  a  fairer  fame 
With  all  manliness  arrayed  ; 

By  the  home-delighting  flame, 
By  the  wigwam's  mat  and  shade. 


And  the  fairest  gift  of  all 
That  his  willing  hand  has  wrought,   r 

That  shall  never  darkly  fall, 
But  with  fullest  blessing  fraught 

To  all  people  everywhere, 
Dwellers  in  the  farthest  wood, 

Shall  a  proud  example  bear, — 
Is  this  Bond  of  Brotherhood. 


HAYO-WENT-HA'S  PARTING  WORDS,  •         201 

It  through  all  the  years  shall  live, 
Till  all  nobleness  shall  fail ; 

And  to  each  protection  give, 
That  no  foe  may  dare  assail, 

But  in  coward  weakness  flee  — 
Flee  in  trembling  terror,  when 

On  the  war-path  bold  they  see 
Aquan-uschi-oni  Men.57 

Brothers  !  that  before  me  stand, 
You  my  People's  bond  and  stay, 

Chiefs  and  braves  of  many  a  band  — 
Builders  of  the  coming  day  ; 

Brothers  !  as  I  still  were  near, 
Be  ye  bold  and  brave  and  true  ; 

Listen  !  while  you  still  may  hear, — 
Hayo-went-ha's  words  are  few. 

Brothers  !  keep  the  Council-flame 
Bright  as  is  to-day  its  blaze  ; 

And,  that  more  your  name  and  fame 
Heighten  in  the  after-days, 

Know  ye,  who  to  lead  and  teach 
Foremost  in  the  Council  stand, 

He  who  wisest  is  in  speech, 
He  is  greatest  in  the  land. 


202  THE  LEA£UE   OF  THE  JBOQUOIS. 

Brothers  !  when  you  come  and  go 
On  the  war-path  far  and  fleet, 

When  you  bear  the  hunter-bow 
On  the  hills  with  flying  feet  ; 

Where  you  roam  or  where  you  dwell, 
Let  your  mighty  deeds  confess,  — 

As  I  still  were  with  you  —  tell 
ONGUE  HO^WE'S  nobleness. 


Far,  by  rivers  flowing  free, 
Where  the  great  hills  stretch  amain, 

Near,  beside  the  murmuring  sea, 
Over  all  the  vale  and  plain, 

Glad  and  joyous  everywhere 
Shall  your  wigwams  brightly  throng  ; 

And  the  twilight  falling  fair 
Light  the  dance  and  wake  the  song. 

So  shall  all  your  after-fame 
Find  no  less  a  shining  place  ; 

Bearing  many  a  noble  name 
Worthy  of  our  noble  race  ; 

And  your  deeds  to  latest  days 
Farthest  wigwam-homes  beside, 

Shall  your  children's  children  praise, 
Call  your  names  with  love  and  pride. 


HAYO-WENT-HA'S  PARTING  WORDS.  203 

And  the  People  far  away 
By  the  Gitche  Gumee  flood, 

Pointing  to  your  homes  shall  say : 
"  Lo  !  a  mighty  Brotherhood  ! 

All  are  brothers  —  that  is  well." 
And  no  fear  may  darken  then 

On  your  path,  for  all  shall  tell : 
"ONGUE  HONWE — Mighty  Men  !" 

And  the  Nations  that  shall  stand 
In  the  future,  bold  and  free, 

Thickly  thronging  all  the  land 
Like  the  pebbles  by  the  sea,— 

From  example  wise  and  good 
Shall  they  to  all  greatness  grow, 

To  a  mighty  Brotherhood  ; 
And  all  men  be  bettered  so.5S 

Brothers  !  wherefore  do  you  weep  ? 
Be  ye  bold  and  brave  and  true  ; 

Brothers  all — my  precepts  keep, 
And  my  love  I  leave  with  you ; 

Oway-neo  high  above, 
Shield  you  from  each  base  intrigue  ; 

Shield  you  with  his  mighty  love, 
Strengthen  more  this  Bond  and  League. 
27 


204  THE  LEAGUE   OF  THE  IROQUOIS. 

Brothers  !  I  do  take  to-day 
For  the  last  your  parting  hand  ; 

Hayo-went-ha  goes  away  — 
Goes  he  to  the  Better  Land  ; 

He  can  see  a  glory  shine 
You  may  see  not,  and  from  thence 

Comes  the  warning  and  the  sign, 
Hayo-went-ha  hastens  hence. 

Iiiigorio  the  Good— 
May  his  Spirit  with  you  dwell ; 

Brothers  !  —  noble  Brotherhood  ! 
OKGUE  HONWE,  fare  you  well. 

Be  you  by  my  counsels  led, 
Keep  my  precepts  every  one  ; 

Hayo-went-ha, —  he  has  said, 
Hayo-went-ha — he  is  done. 


HAYOWENT-HA'S 
DEPARTURE. 


If  but  a  dream,  a  dream  divine 
The  Poets  sing,  the  Painters  paint: 

That  brow  of  Prophet  and  of  Saint 
With  glory's  morning  splendors  shine. 


Or  is  it  thus  the  Gods  decree  ? 
A  nd  all  the  nobler  Souls  that  go, 

Bright  haloed  rise,  transfigured  so — 
Clothed  on  with  Immortality  f 


XVIII 


HAYO-WENT-HA'S    DEPARTURE. 

FAIR  in  the  lessening  light  he  stood, 
He,  Oway-neo's  Prophet  great ; 

Bright  glowed  his  form  as  if  imbued 
With  something  of  immortal  state  ; 

With  rarer  light  his  quickened  soul 
Had  interfused  his  grosser  clay, 

As  soon  to  win  life's  crown  and  goal  — 
To  tread  the  waiting  Halls  of  Day. 

In  royal  mantle  rich  arrayed, 
The  royal  mantle  woven  fair, 

That  showed  in  many  a  to-tem  braid 
Inwove,  the  Tortoise,  Wolf,  and  Bear, — 

In  moccasins  with  the  marvelous  hem 
And  snowy  leggins,  beaded  grand, 

Inwrought  with  many  a  curious  gem, — 
He  trod  the  Onondaga  strand. 


208  THE  LEAGUE  OF  THE  IEOQUOIS. 

And  forth  again  the  wondrous  barge 
From  out  its  secret  place  he  brought ; 

Bore  softly  to  the  pebbly  marge 
The  bark  by  mystic  fingers  wrought ; 

The  Chee-maun  blest  of  Manito, 
Nor  paddle  had  —  nor  need  of  one, 

That  swiftly  on,  and  onward  drew 
When  Hayo-went-ha  willed  it  on. 

It  erst  had  many  a  storm  withstood  ; 
Him  with  his  mighty  bow  it  bore 

To  slay  the  monsters  of  the  flood  ; 
And,  oft  in  halcyon  days  before, 

To  far  Ti-o-to,  bright  impearled, 
When  love  lit  all  the  pebbly  strand  : 

0  Love  !  that  beautifies  the  world  — 
Makes  every  land  a  summer-land  ! 

Upon  the  flaming  wings  of  morn, 
With  valor's  quickened  pulse  imbued, 

Oft  to  the  Council-place  had  borne 
Him,  Hayo-went-ha,  great  and  good  ; 

And  far  on  many  a  stranger  sea  : 
Wherever  most  might  knowledge  loose 

Her  sacred  seal,  or  glory  be  ;  — 
But  now  should  prove  its  nobler  use. 


UAYO-WENT-HA'S  DEPARTURE.  209 

Like  pilgrim  home-returning  late 
With  eager  feet,  it  lightly  pressed 

The  springing  tide,  as  loth  to  wait 
To  bear  him  to  his  peace  and  rest ; 

To  gently  bear  him,  fleet  and  free 
To  faintly  glimmering  isles  away, 

Beyond  the  land,  beyond  the  sea, 
Beyond  the  fading  rim  of  Day. 

Yet  where  the  billow  lightly  laves 
He  lingers  on  the  pebbly  strand 

Amid  the  well-beloved  braves, — 
Delays  —  to  take  the  parting  hand  ; 

As  bearing  in  a  father's  heart 
The  love,  the  grief  no  tongue  can*tell ; 

As  loth  to  stay,  as  loth  to  part, 
Delays  he  still  the  last  farewell. 

Or  saddened  at  their  grief  and  tears, 
The  noble  warriors,  true  and  tried  ! 

Or  tender  thought  the  spot  endears 
Where  she,  the  little  maiden  died ; 

Or  would  his  anguished  spirit  stay 
Where  weeping  loved  ones  strive  and  mourn  ? 

Or  yearns  his  heart  to  her  away  — 
Nyah-tah-wanta,  reft  and  lorn  ? 


210  THE  LEAGUE   OF   THE  IKOQUOIS. 

She  by  Ti-cr-to  waiting  him  : 
Lone  watching  till  the  day  is  done, 

Lone  watching  through  the  midnight  dim, 
Lone  watching  till  the  morning  sun  ; 

She  that  his  heart  had  sweetly  blessed, 
Made  glad  the  wigwam's  mat  and  shade. 

Who  now  might  soothe  that  aching  breast, 
Prone  in  its  anguish  disarrayed  ? 

No  more  to  run  with  eager  feet 
To  greet  him  on  the  waiting  shore  ! 

AVhat  grief  and  pain  with  her  to  meet ! 
But  not  to  meet,  it  deepens  more. 

And  oh  !  to  eyes  that  tearful  be 
How  dim  would  show  the  Halls  of  Day  ; 

How  could  he  dwell  content,  and  she, 
Nyah-tah-wanta,  far  away  ? 

Or  fairer  than  the  kindling  dawn, 
In  widening  sundown  flaring  red, 

Sees  he  the  little  maiden  gone  — 
Sees  he  the  father's  darling  dead  ? 

Dead  ?  —  Nay  !  but  in  that  Better  Land 
And  radiant  in  all  virgin  charms 

Sees  he  the  dear  one  waiting  stand, 
Or  sweetly  clasped  in  loving  arms. 


HAYO-WENT-HA'S  DEPARTURE.  211 

Sees  he  the  forms  of  chieftains  old, 
Familiar  shapes  of  noble  braves, 

The  vanished  shades  of  warriors  bold  ; 
Above  the  glory-bounded  waves 

They  beckon  him,  they  glow  and  shine, 
The  wider  Hunting  Grounds  they  roam ; 

And  waits  Ixe  but  the  day's  decline 
To  waft  him  to  that  dearer  home. 

Low  sinks  the  slow-descending  sun  : 
Now  on  the  sward  his  people  throng, 

To  so  —  until  the  day  is  done  — 
A  little  space  his  stay  prolong  ; 

Around  him  press  with  eager  feet, 
Or  hurry  to  the  parting  place  ; 

To  yield  to  him  the  reverence  meet, — 
To  clasp  him  in  a  last  embrace. 

Fair  on  the  tide  the  orb  of  Day 
Hangs  like  a  shield  of  warrior-fame  ; 

Now  level  shoots  his  fiery  ray 
Like  warrior-arrow,  tipped  with  flame, 

A  glory  on  the  wave  and  wood ; 
Far-brightening  all  the  sea  and  wold, 

Now  crimson  in  the  burnished  flood 
He  dips  his  shining  disk  of  gold. 
28 


212  THE  LEAGUE   OF   THE  IROQUOIS. 

Still  on  the  softly-murmuring  marge 
His  latest,  lingering  footsteps  show, 

Where  lightly  waits  the  mystic  barge 
For  Hayo-went-ha,  soon  to  go  ; 

All  glory-mantled  stands  the  Chief, 
As  touched  with  an  immortal  spell ; 

In  pity  for  his  People's  grief, 
Delays  he  still  the  last  farewell. 

* 

Lo  !  now  he  takes  the  parting  hand  ; 
Lo  !  now  is  said  the  parting  word  ; 

Now  parts  the  Chee-maun  from  the  strand- 
Goes  speeding  like  the  wing  of  bird 

Far  on  the  billows  looming  large  ; 
The  warriors  brave,  in  sorrow  new. 

Gaze  tearful  on  that  fleeting  barge  ; 
He  beckons  back  a  last  adieu. 

Now  faintly  from  the  fading  shore 
Sad  hears  he  on  the  widening  sea : 
"0  Knee-ha !  Knee-ha  !  —  nevermore  J 
0  Father !  Father  !  —  woe  is  me  ! !" 

Still  fainter  to  his  ear  arise 
His  people's  anguished  cry  and  moan 

For  Hayo-went-ha  great  and  wise  — 
For  noble  Hayo-went-ha  gone. 


HAYO-WENT-HA'S  DEPARTURE.  213 

A  song,  like  the  Immortal's  song, 
Now  thrills  each  lowly,  aching  breast, 

Far-wakes  the  tranquil  shores  along, 
Lulls  the  low-lapsing  waves  to  rest ; 

Charms  all  the  rapt,  enchanted  strand, 
Soft  trembles  on  the  listening  sea, 

As  dwellers  in  the  Shining  Land 
There  woke  their  joyous  minstrelsy. 

Now  more  the  shadows  deepen  down : 
On  all  that  sorrow  deepens  more, 

That  sweetest  music  may  not  drown ; 
More  faint  along  the  dusky  shore, 

The  voices  from  the  bright  Beyond 
In  wonder-waking  song  are  heard, — 

More  tender  than  love's  yearnings  fond, 
And  sweeter  than  the  song  of  bird. 

Thence  had  the  Shining  Spirits  come, 
Low-wandering  from  the  shores  of  Dawn, 

To  bear  great  Hayo-went-ha  home, 
From  toil  and  grief  of  earth  withdrawn  ; 

On  airy  pinions  bear  him  hence  — 
Above  life's  weaker  part  upborne ; 

To  taste  the  bliss  and  recompense 
Of  Virtue  on  the  Hills  of  Morn. 


214  THE  LEAGUE   OF  THE  IROQUOIS. 

Still  far  the  sunset's  fiery  glow 
Trails  reddening  o'er  the  crystal  wells ; 

The  cloven  waves  like  rubies  show  — 
A  warmer  wish  the  bark  impels ; 

Still  on,  and  on  ;  —  now  high  in  air ; 
Still  up,  and  on  —  more  darkly  dim  ; 

Still  up,  away  ;  —  now  seeming  fair 
On  pearly  clouds  to  dance  and  swim. 

More  faint  and  far — more  fleet  and  free, 
To  where  the  shadows  come  and  go  ; 

Beyond  the  land  —  beyond  the  sea — 
Beyond  the  daylight's  fading  glow  ; 

To  Oway-neo's  Home  ;  away 
Beyond  where  sunset-glory  smiles  ; 

Beyond  the  gateways  of  the  Day, — 
To  Inigorio's  Happy  Isles. 


THE    BROKEN    HEART. 


Who  holds  this  but  a  doubtful  creed : 
All  sorrow  hath  its  use  and  need; 

TJie  keenest  anguish,  most  intense 
That  ever  suffering  bosom  bore, 
Its  after-joy  may  heighten  more; 

No  pain  but  hath  its  recompense. 


And  you,  0  tender  Soul  !  if  such 

There  be,  who  never  felt  the  touch 
Of  sore  affliction's  sting  and  stnart, 

Had  never  sorrow  to  assuage  ; 

Turn  back, —  nor  read  this  tearful  page- 
This  story  of  a  broken  heart. 


XTX 


THE    BROKEN    HEART. 

THE  lofty  oak  that  proudly  stands 
To  drink  the  summer's  sun  and  rain, 

The  glory  of  the  forest-lands, 
A  beauty  on  the  verdured  plain, — 

Though  it  the  tempest  spares  alone, 
Though  cloven  through  its  robe  of  green, 

Bereft  of  branches,  wildly  strown, 
Will  weave  anew  its  leafy  screen. 

Yet  grows  no  tree  in  all  the  wood, 
In  all  the  grove-emmantled  vale, 

That  blooms  to  charm  the  solitude 
And  glad  the  morning's  breath  inhale, — 

But,  if  rude  hand  with  hapless  art 
Deep  ring  the  barky  stem  around 

Whence  flows  the  sap  to  feed  the  heart, 
Will,  withered,  topple  to  the  ground. 


218  THE  LEAGUE  OF  THE  IROQUOIS. 

So,  when  the  floods  of  anguish  break 
Fierce  on  the  soul  in  storm  and  gloom, 

Though  leaving  but  a  faded  wreck 
Of  fond  affection's  leafy  bloom, 

Unsevered  from  love's  kindly  root, 
When  passed  the  tempest-tiding  grief, 

The  riven  heart  may  newly  shoot, — 
The  blighted  life  renew  its  leaf. 

But  quench  in  over-anguished  breast 
The  fire  that  lights  its  secret  shrine  ; 

Take  from  it  every  good  possessed, 
Let  Hope  her  failing  lamp  resign  ; 

Make  every  pulse  a  throb  of  care, 
A  deathless  pang  of  memory  ; 

Make  longing  vain,  and  love  despair, 
And  life  itself  will  cease  to  be. 

And  long,  0  loyal  heart  and  true  ! 
Amid  the  forest  solitude, 

Beside  Ti-o-to's  glimmering  blue 
Nyah-tah-wanta  lonely  stood ; 

The  long,  long  day,  with  longing  vain, 
Gazed — till  her  eyes  with  tears  were  dim  ; 

Heard  in  the  billows'  sad  refrain 
Alone  love's  mournful  requiem. 


THE  BROKEN  HEART.  219 

Though  eager  looked  her  tearful  eyes 
To  see  some  home-returning  trace, 

Oh,  never  on  her  sight  would  rise 
That  Chee-maun  from  the  Council-place  ! 

Nor  form  of  him,  beloved,  for  whom 
She  patient  watched  each  lonely  day; 

Whose  smile  alone  could  light  the  gloom, 
Could  kindle  new  life's  failing  ray. 

Still  up  and  down  her  footsteps  pressed, 
Unmarked  the  shadows  falling  dim  ; 

She,  wearied,  felt  no  weariness, 
But  only  care  for  her  and  him  ; 

For  her,  the  little  maiden  sweet, 
Joy  of  the  life  from  whence  it  grew ; 

For  him  so  wise  and  good  and  great, 
Who  might  the  wigwam's  joy  renew. 

The  dews  of  midnight  cold  and  wet 
Fell  on  her  woman's  brow  of  care, 

Till  silvered  shone  each  tress  of  jet ; 
Though  late  with  aching  brow  and  bare 

She  waited  on  the  troubled  shore, 
She  heeded  not  the  falling  chill ; 

But  felt  her  sorrow  deepen  more. 
But  felt  the  fear  foreboding  ill ;  — 
29 


220  THE  LEAGUE  OF  THE  1BOQUOIS. 

Still  straining  wide  her  tearful  sight 
Along  the  billows  far  away  ; 

Sad  watching  through  the  lonely  night, 
Sad  watching  through  the  lonely  day 

Till  dark  the  shadows  fell  again, 
Nor  recked  of  hunger's  gnaw  and  smart ; 

But  felt  love's  keener  fast  and  pain, — 
The  fiercer  hunger  of  her  heart. 

If  fain  at  whiles  her  mat  to  press, 
She  sought  the  wigwam  waiting  lone, 

No  sleep  such  anguished  eyes  would  bless  - 
Would  charm  the  lids  so  tearful  grown  ; 

For  haunting  dark  her  tender  breast 
Would  come  the  thought  of  pain,  and  dread 

No  more  that  widowed  couch  of  rest 
Might  pillow  sweet  each  dearer  head. 

Or,  when  through  many  a  cloudy  cleft 
Wo-ne-da's  softened  splendors  smiled, 

She,  rising  thence,  and  more  bereft, 
Forth  by  love's  waning  hope  beguiled, 

Afar  with  hapless  feet  would  stray, 
With  mournful  step,  more  feeble  grown  ; 

To  watch  the  orient's  kindling  ray 
And  hark  Ti-o-to's  rippled  moan. 


THE  BROKEN  HEART.  221 

To  gaze  along  the  foaming  deep 
She  early  came,  she  lingered  late, 

To  weep  and  watch,  to  watch  and  weep, — 
A  stricken  soul  and  desolate. 

And  many  a  night,  and  many  a  day 
Her  failing  footsteps  went  and  came 

Along  the  darkened  home-led  way,— 
Hope  lighting  faint  life's  flickering  flame. 

Still  o'er  the  sward  she  came  and  went, 
Still  seeming  more  a  passing  shade  — 

Some  brightness  for  a  moment  lent ; 
Till  prone  beside  the  withered  glade 

The  paling  Summer  weeping  sat, 
To  miss  the  dear,  familiar  tread  ; 

While  fevered  on  her  lowly  mat 
Low-moaning  lay  that  gentle  head. 

Now  through  her  half-forgotten  care 
A  gladness  murmured  in  her  breast, 

As  Hayo-went-ha,  he  was  there, 
Again  the  maiden  form  she  pressed; 

Or  other  dear  ones  seemed  to  rise, — 
Seen  through  death's  gathering  mist  and  haze ; 

The  loving  sire,  the  deeper  eyes 
That  brightened  on  her  infant  days. 


222  THE  LEAGUE  OF  THE  1EOQUOIS. 


And  low  she  called  each  cherished  name, 
As  though  she  saw  them  bending  there ; 

Yet  o'er  the  sward  no  footstep  came  — 
None  saw  her  passing  grief  and  care  ; 

But  Midnight,  listening  on  the  plain, 
Heard  from  the  wigwam,  glooming  nigh, 

A  shriek — and  all  was  still  again  — 
As  if  a  Spirit  shuddered  by. 

Along  the  sea  the  lonely  Mahng 
His  troubled  song  more  lonesome  woke  ; 

The  great  Da-hin-da  sober  sang, 
'  As  grief  had  touched  his  hoarser  croak ; 

The  Ko-ko-ko-ho's  mournful  cry, 
The  Wa-won-ais-se's  sorrow-plaint, 

0-me-me's  tender  moan  and  sigh, — 
Came  from  the  wood  more  sadly  faint. 

Sad  broke  the  Morning,  dim  and  pale, 
Ti-o-to  murmured  on  the  reef; 

The  Sun,  behind  his  cloudy  veil, 
Looked  —  tearful  with  a  later  grief; 

The  Home-wind  Availed  along  the  shore, 
The  forest  felt  a  shivering  dread  ; 

Nyah-tah-wanta  came  no  more  — 
Nyah-tah-wanta,  she  was  dead  ! 


THE  BROKEX  HEART.  223 

No  loving  heart  or  eye  o'erbent 
That  darkened  couch  —  her  shroud  and  tomb, 

Whose  life  with  anguish  overspent 
Went  out  amid  night's  lonely  gloom ; 

With  none  to  watch  beside  the  dead, 
To  close  the  dear  lids,  staring  vain  ; 

To  make  for  her  a  lowly  bed — 
A  grassy  grave  along  the  plain. 

Yet  He,  whose  love  is  over  all, 
Whose  helping  hand  is  ever  nigh, 

Who  hears  the  broodling  sparrows  call, 
Nor  lets  their  little  want  go  by, — 

To  beast  and  bird  and  reptile  lent 
Its  meaner  life,  and  not  in  vain, 

Low  by  that  couch  in  pity  bent, 
To  soothe  its  frenzied  pulse  of  pain. 

And  shades  that  roam  the  starry  shore 
Came  o'er  the  midnight's  track  of  gloom, 

Watched  by  that  wigwam's  lowly  door 
To  bear  a  suffering  spirit  home. 

On  airy  pinions  far  and  fleet 
Above  life's  weaker  part  upborn  ; 

To  taste  the  bliss,  the  rapture  meet 
Of  Virtue  on  the  Hills  of  Morn. 


224  THE  LEAGUE   OF  THE  1ROQUOIS. 

No  more  to  wait  with  tearful  eyes 
Beside  Ti-o-to's  darkened  strand, 

But  joyous  as  the  morning-rise 
Far-journeying  to  the  Better  Land  ; 

To  Oway-neo's  Home,  away 
Beyond  where  sunset-glory  smiles  ; 

Beyond  the  gateways  of  the  day, — 
To  Inigorio's  Happy  Isles. 


THE   BETTER  LAND 


The  child  upon  its  mother's  breast, 
From  petty  pain  and  sorrow  free, 

Finds  all  it  dreams  of  peace  and  rest, 
Nor  knows  if  other  Heaven  may  be. 

So  every  Soul,  or  soon  or  late, 
Led  by  the  Father's  loving  hand, 

And  each  as  is  its  need  and  state, 
Will  find  at  length  that  Better  Land. 


XX 

THE    BETTER    LAND. 

0  WOKLD  of  Time  !  wert  thou  the  whole, 
Whose  outward  aspect  darkly  shows, 

Nor  lived  beyond  the  chastened  Soul, 
Nor  more  divinely  fair  arose, 

And  more  in  joy  and  beauty  grown 
In  years  that  are  Eternity, — 

Did  life  no  Life  Immortal  own, 
Were  it  not  better  not  to  be  ? 


No  path  but  is  by  sorrow  crossed, 
No  spot  but  is  bedewed  with  tears ; 

No  loving  heart  but  it  hath  lost 
Some  treasure,  loss  still  more  endears. 

To  all,  the  troubled  days  that  pass 
Bring  endless  labor,  little  gain  ; 

Or  brief  delights  that  leave,  alas  ! 
But  keener  sense  of  after-pain. 
30 


228  THE  LEAGUE   OF  THE  IKOQVOIS. 

Oh  !  to  behold  with  clearer  sight 
The  good  that  Providence  designs  ; 

Unseen,  or  only  in  the  light 
That  far  along  the  ages  shines  ; 

To  know  that  nothing  is  of  chance, 
All  evil  for  a  purpose  meant ; 

That  discipline  of  circumstance 
Is  evermore  beneficent. 


Oh  !  for  the  faith  to  realize  — 
The  truth-illumined  mind  to  know 

That  He,  the  only  Good  and  Wise, 
But  portions  each  or  weal  or  woe, 

As  joy  or  grief  may  nurture  more 
The  Flower  that  springs  from  Virtue's  root, 

That  blooms  on  Love's  immortal  shore, 
And  happiness  its  ripened  fruit. 


He,  Oway-neo's  Prophet  true, 
That  hunter-bow  and  shaft  had  wrought ; 

Who  forth  the  Dusky  Nations  drew, 
Them  all  the  good  of  labor  taught ; 

Who  strengthened  all  the  weaker  hands, 
Who  greatest  in  the  Council  stood, 

Who  gathered  all  the  scattered  bands 
Into  a  noble  Brotherhood  ;  — 


THE  BETTER  LAND.  229 

Who  toiled  and  suffered  here  below 
Through  all  the  years  —  and  not  in  vain  ; 

Whose  heart  had  borne  a  mighty  woe, 
Felt  all  the  pangs  of  mortal  pain  ; 

The  portion  that  has  ever  been 
Of  kingly  souls  whose  feet  have  pressed 

The  heights  of  woe,  to  enter  in 
The  bright  Immortals1  home  and  rest ; — 

Unto  his  kindred,  tribe  and  race, 
To  shores  and  wigwams  looming  large 

Returning,  to  his  home  and  place, — 
Drew  on  the  shore  that  mystic  barge 

By  snowy  tents  that  shimmering  stand 
On  hills  fair  in  the  setting  sun  ; 

Sojourned  he  in  that  Better  Land, 
His  sorrows  passed,  his  labors  done. 

And  oft  when  sundown  falling  red, 
With  ruby  lights  the  Hesper-rim, 

While  musing  on  the  loved  and  dead, 
While  brooding  sad  the  thought  of  him 

The  noblest  of  his  noble  Race, 
Above  the  purple  clouds  of  even 

Methinks  I  see  his  Prophet-face 
Look  smiling  from  that  peaceful  heaven. 


230  THE  LEAGUE   OF  THE  IROQUOIS. 

Nor  his  alone  :  —  where  brightly  laves 
The  sea  of  gold  that  fairer  shore, 

I  see  the  well-remembered  braves, 
The  mighty  of  the  days  before  ; 

There  in  the  Spirit's  Shining  Home 
They  dwell,  —  all  the  departed  great ; 

The  wider  Hunting  Grounds  they  roam, 
More  glorious  in  their  after-state. 

There  do  I  see,  with  gleaming  crest, 
In  all  the  lofty  pride  he  bore, 

Great  Ot-o-tar-ho,  he  whose  breast 
Of  living  snakes  the  cordon  wore ; 

Whose  bowls  and  spoons  from  which  he  fed- 
His  dishes  all  —  were  carved  and  wrought 

Out  of  the  skulls  of  warriors  dead, 
The  trophies  from  the  battle  brought.69 

There  all  the  Ot-o-tar-ho  line, 
Seen  on  Tradition's  fading  page  ; 

Names  that,  however  dim  they  shine, 
Make  regal  that  heroic  age, 

When  boldest  heart  and  strongest  hand 
Alone  might  cope  with  monsters  dread  ; 

With  Serpent  fierce  that  roamed  the  land, 
With  Giant  huge,  or  Flying  Head. 


THE  BETTER  LAND.  231 

There  all  the  mighty  chieftains  be 
Of  later  days  that  dark  unrolled  ; 

Whereof  with  tongue  of  Prophecy 
The  noble  Hayo-went-ha  told  ; 

When  over  all  the  land  should  tread  — 
Should  throng  a  People  great  and  free  ; 

Thick  as  the  leaves  by  Autumn  shed, 
Or  as  the  pebbles  by  the  sea. 

Sa-go-ye-wat-ha,  he  is  there  ; 
The  warrior  chieftain  noble-born  ; 

Aye  !  noble,  if  they  noble  be 
Who  hold  ignobleness  in  scorn  ; 

Who  stood  in  Council  great,  as  they 
That  gifted  are  to  lead  and  teach  ; 

A  h'ery  Soul  that  most  could  sway 
All  passions  with  the  might  of  speech.60 

Who  weakly  owned  no  brother's  Grod,61 
Nor  less  adjudged  for  wisdom  thence  ; 

Who  firm  the  path  of  duty  trod, 
And  wanting  not  in  reverence  ; 

Unbowed  in  fear-inspiring  awe, 
Confessed  no  less  the  human  need 

Of  love  —  the  first,  the  primal  law : 
More  sacred  than  the  doubtful  creed. 


232  THE  LEAGUE   OF  THE  IROQCOIS. 

And  in  the  ages  dawning  bright 
Shall  truth-illumined  Sages  rise, 

Who,  walking  in  the  widening  light 
With  wiser  mind  and  clearer  eyes, 

With  baser  bigot-sight  unvexed, 
Shall,  conning  deep  each  fading  scroll, 

Find  many  a  love-inspiring  text, — 
The  offspring  of  thy  nobler  soul. 


There  He — nor  bearing  crimson  stain — 
Who  bade  the  war-ax  dread  atone 

For  all  his  kindred  wanton  slain  ; 
His  Nation's  woes  wept  in  his  own. 

I  see  that  form  pathetic  stand  ; 
I  hear  :  —  "  Of  all  my  kindred,  none 

Are  left  alive  in  all  the  land ! 
For  Logan  who  will  mourn  ?  —  not  one.1" 


There  He,  Oneida's  noblest  son, 
That  bold  amid  War's  wild  alarms 

The  warrior-hero's  chaplet  won, 
When  rose  the  Western  World  in  arms ; 

On  battle-field,  in  Council-hall, 
Alike  created  to  command  ; M 

Who  stood  amid  the  sachems  all, 
The  wisest  chieftain  in  the  land. 


THE   BETTER  LAXI>.  233 


Who  bowed  in  years,  in  spirit  brave, 
u  I  am  an  aged  hemlock,"  said  ; 
u  Winds  of  a  hundred  winters  have 
Fierce  whistled  through  my  branches  dead.11 

And  pilgrims  still  their  footsteps  stay— 
Bend  o'er  his  dust  with  tearful  eyes ; 
"  He  was  the  White  Man's  friend,11  they  say, 
Or  "  Here  the  good  Sken-an-do  lies.11 


Rise  other  forms  more  comely  dight : 
More  fair  than  in  the  olden  days 

They  that  I  see  —  oh,  dear  delight ! 
In  beauty  that  is  passing  praise, 

In  wifely  charm  or  maiden  grace, 
In  snowy  kirtle  rich  arrayed, 

They  light  the  Yong-we's  home  and  place, 
Make  glad  the  wigwam's  mat  and  shade. 

And  oft  along  the  glimmering  marge 
Of  wider  shores,  that  faint  and  glow, 

I  see  again  that  mystic  barge  — 
That  mystic  Chee-maun  come  and  go ; 

More  beauteous  on  the  flowing  tide, 
More  fleet  is  seen  to  glide  and  run, 

Dance  on  the  billows  foaming  wide, 
No  paddle  has  —  no  need  of  one. 


234  THE  LEAGUE  OF  THE  1BOQUOIS. 

It  Hayo-went-ha  lightly  bears, 
While  brightens  more  his  Prophet-face, 

As  it  the  glow  effulgent  wears 
Of  Oway-neo's  Shining  Place. 

In  beauty  made  more  beautiful 
I  see,  by  sorrow  sanctified, 

In  wifely  charms  surpassing  all  — 
Nyah-tah-wanta  by  his  side. 

And  there  is  she, —  the  little  maid, 
The  darling  he  had  mourned  as  dead, 

In  rarer  maiden  grace  arrayed  ; 
More  glad  her  song,  more  light  her  tread  ; 

In  mind,  as  stature,  heightened  more, 
With  love  the  mother's  love  requites  ; 

More  deeply  learned  in  forest-lore, 
She  more  the  father's  heart  delights. 

And  there  they  dwell  —  0  joy  complete  ! 
Land  where  no  earthly  shadows  gloam  ; 

There  taste  again  the  rapture  sweet  — 
Know  all  the  sacred  joys  of  Home. 

Oh  !  Home  is  where  —  or  near  or  far  — 
Our  darlings1  footsteps  light  the  sod ; 

Wherever  they,  the  loved  ones,  are 
In  the  wide  Universe  of  God. 


THE  BETTER  LAND.  235 

\Vith  woods  where  endless  Summer  smiles, 
That,  robed  in  leafy  fragrance  stand 

Year  unto  year  ;  unmeasured  miles 
Of  verdured  plains,  of  billowy  strand, 

Of  meadows  wide  in  mantle  green  ; 
Hills  that  on  hills  serenely  shine, 

With  flowery  vales  far-stretched  between. 
That  snowy  tents  make  more  divine, — 

Still  looms  and  fades  the  Shining  Land : 
The  mighty  chiefs  of  noble  fame 

There,  as  of  old,  in  Council  stand  ; 
There,  kindling  with  the  kindling  flame, 

They  wake  again  the  lofty  speech  ; 
But  not  to  fire  for  mortal  strife 

The  warrior's  heart ;  —  they,  wiser,  teach 
Of  Him  who  Master  is  of  Life. 


And  they  that  hearken  do  I  see : 
With  faces  like  the  morning  lit, 

Of  braves  a  goodly  company, 
Along  the  sward  they  stand  or  sit ; 

And  there,  more  lovely,  wife  or  maid, 
In  kirtle  new,  they  sit  or  stand, 

In  mantle  wove  of  wampum-braid, 
And  moccasins  quilled  and  beaded  grand. 
31 


236  THE  LEAGUE   OF  THE  IBOQUOIS. 

Bright  on  the  wigwams,  painted  fair 
I  see  each  to-tem  form  again, 

Of  Beaver,  Tortoise,  Wolf,  and  Bear, 
Of  Falcon,  Plover,  Deer  and  Crane ; 

With  picture-writing  wondrous  shown  : 
All  birds  and  beasts  —  all  symbols  whence 

The  greatly  wise  may  draw  alone 
The  mystery  of  the  hidden  sense. 

Still  on  the  endless  Seasons  roll : 
All  manly  sports  their  joys  enhance  ; 

Elate  they  play  at  Bat  and  Ball. 
Or  shake  the  Bowl,  in  game  of  chance , 

Or  with  the  hunter's  shaft  and  bow 
Still,  as  of  old,  in  passion  new, 

They  track  afar  the  flying  Roe 
To  hills  beyond  the  farthest  blue. 

There  through  the  forest's  leafy  sheen 
Still  gleams  each  royal  antlered  head, 

And  all  the  plain's  unbroken  green 
Far  trembles  to  each  tameless  tread ; 

There  every  bird  beloved  of  old, 
That  clove  the  air  or  swam  the  sea, 

With  gayer  plume,  with  wing  more  bold, 
Still  climbs  an  ampler  ether  free. 


THE  BETTER  LAND.  237 

The  land  and  home  of  worthy  braves, 
By  smiling  meads  and  crystal  lakes 

Whose  shores  no  angry  billow  laves, 
Where  War's  wild  turmoil  never  wakes  ; 

By  tranquil  streams  that  lightly  sing, 
The  green  Savannas  murmuring  through  ; 

Where  on  the  scarcely  ruffled  spring 
Still  noiseless  speeds  the  light  canoe. 


Though  grief  still  sways  with  tyrant  might. 
Still  binds  the  waiting  years  with  pain, 

Some  solace  for  each  lost  delight 
To  see  the  loved  ones  smile  again  ; 

To  know  they  dwell  immortal  there, 
Where  bright  the  sunset  glory  smiles  ; — 

Their  wigwams  built  eternal  are 
In  Inigorio's  Happy  Isles. 

And  musing  on  the  glory  past, 
The  glory  that  the  Ages  wait, 

This  heart,  despite  its  sorrow  vast, 
Again  is  reconciled  with  Fate  ; 

Nor  other  thought  such  comfort  brings 
As — Ye  that  left  us  are  not  lost ; 

But  freely  quaff  life's  deeper  springs 
Mid  Oway-neo's  Shining  Host. 


238 


THE  LEAGUE   OF  THE  1EOQUOIS. 


0  Love  !  that  stays,  though  suns  do  go, 
Abides  —  though  all  things  flee  amain, 

To  more  and  more  dost  wax  and  grow, 
Thou  canst  the  Fore -World  build  again  ; 

Though  sorrow-dim,  tear-wet  anew, 
Hope-brightened  shines  the  fading  page 

That  here  I  close.  Once  more  adieu  — 
A  last  adieu,  thou  Primal  Age. 


MISCELLANEOUS. 


All  Truth  through  martyrdom  is  born,  — 
That  doth  the  after-ages  bless. 

The  Virtue  that  shall  life  adorn, 
The  Soul  exalt  in  nobleness, 

Is  to  the  passing  thought  and  time 
A  sin,  when  by  their  standard  tried; 

If  but  for  protest  to  the  crime 
By  hoary  Custom  sanctified. 


WINONA. 


AFAR,  where  Pepin's  waters  flow 
By  many  a  beetling  turret  steep, 

With  glimmering  turrets  far  below 
Reflected  in  the  glimmering  deep, 

The  rocky  heights  sad  memories  stir 
Of  one  with  faithful  heart  and  true, 

The  maiden,  dear  Winona,  her 
The  stranger  Chieftain  came  to  woo. 

A  warrior  bold,  of  presence  proud, 
The  Chief  of  all  the  Northern  Wood  ; 

To  him  the  braves  in  reverence  bowed 
Or  reverent  in  his  presence  stood  ; 

His  breast  of  many  a  battle  showed, — 
War  waged  with  many  a  swarthy  band  ; 

And  presents  rare  he  free  bestowed 
In  barter  for  the  maiden  hand. 


242  WINONA. 

The  dusky  warriors,  brave  and  strong, 
Around  the  camp-fire,  blazing  bright, 

With  feast  and  pipe  and  dance  and  song 
Made  revel  with  a  wild  delight ; 

While  he,  the  stranger  Chieftain  bold, 
Profuse  his  costly  gifts  displayed  ; 

Of  many  a  deed  of  valor  told  — 
So  he  perchance  might  win  the  maid. 

What  fairer  boon  of  Manito 
Might  crown  the  maiden's  heart  of  pride, 

Than  from  her  wigwam  home  to  go 
A  mighty  chieftain's  queen  and  bride  ? 

In  reedy  mantle,  torn  and  mean, 
No  more  in  lowly  want  to  pine, 

But  of  a  royal  lodge  the  queen, — 
In  bear-skin  kirtle,  beaded  fine. 

•     But  not  for  him  of  fame  and  might 
She  braided  fair  each  raven  tress  ; 

Oh,  not  for  him  those  eyes  of  night 
Revealed  their  starry  tenderness  ! 

Oh,  not  for  him  the  maiden  heart 
Timed  the  warm  pulse  of  maidenhood 

Within  a  breast  unsoiled  of  art, 
Far-nurtured  in  the  wild  and  wood. 


WINONA.  243 

In  troubled  thought  she  might  not  tell, 
Low  on  her  simple  couch  outspread, 

Winona,  where  the  shadows  fell, 
Sat  burdened  with  a  nameless  dread. 

In  fear  that  darker  purpose  takes 
When  hope  is  dead,  she  turned  on  him 

Such  tearful  glance  as  only  wakes 
In  eyes  that  sorrows  overbrim. 

Scarce  conscious  of  the  passing  scene 
She  took  in  all  nor  lot  nor  part ; 

Till,  with  familiar  voice  and  mien, 
That  pierced  with  woe  the  maiden  heart, 

Bespoke  her  sire  : — uHo,  daughter  mine  ! 
Make  haste  to  be,  like  maiden  good, 

The  bride  of  him  of  noble  line, 
And  worthy  of  our  warrior  blood  ! " 

Quick  rising  thence  the  stricken  maid 
Low  bent  the  haughty  chief  beside  ; 

Her  heaving  breast  its  strife  betrayed 
With  maiden  grief  and  maiden  pride : 
"No,  father,  no  !  —  pray  do  not  let !  — 
My  heart  is  not  for  him  you  say ; 

Too  few  my  maiden  summers  yet, — 
I  cannot  be  a  bride  to-day  ! 
32 


244:  WINONA. 

"  Though  bravest  of  the  braves  is  he, 
And  I  of  all  the  maidens  least, 

His  bride  and  wife  I  can  not  be, 
So  do  not  bid  the  marriage  feast. 

I  low  will  rest  beside  the  dead, 
Or  lonely  wander,  old  and  gray  ; 

But  never  will  Winona  wed 
Till  love  shall  light  her  wedding-day." 

Now  flickers  dim  the  camp-fire  light  ; 
The  tawny  braves  that  hideous  made 

With  whoop  and  dance  the  falling  night. 
Lie  slumbering  in  the  dusky  shade. 

A  deeper  gloom  the  midnight  wears  ;  — 
Till  silence  in  that  fading  glow 

Hangs  like  some  sable  wing  that  bears 
The  presage  of  on-coming  woe. 

From  out  the  forest  dim  and  faint, 
From  off  the  waters  glooming  nigh, 

Comes  up  the  Wa-won-ais-se's  plaint, 
The  Wa-be-wa-wa's  clang  and  cry  ; 

And  many  a  nightbird  lonely  calls, 
While  sweeter  than  the  morning-rise 

The  dew  of  sleep  that  softly  falls  — 
But  not  on  anguish-burdened  eyes. 


WIN  ON  A. 

Slow  through  the  purple  gates  of  even 
The  hours  to  mournful  measures  move ; 

As  if  the  radiant  hosts  of  heaven 
Looked  down  with  pitying  eyes  of  love ; 

As  conscious  of  thy  breaking  heart, 
Winona,  that  so  lone  and  late 

And  wildly  weeping  sitst  apart, 
Sad  brooding  on  the  morrow's  fate. 

0  tender  Soul !    0  heart  of  grief 
That  trembles  like  the  startled  fawn, 

Or  flutters  like  the  aspen  leaf 
Touched  by  the  ruder  breath  of  dawn  ! 

What  means  thy  look  so  all  forlorn, 
Thy  pallid  cheek  and  tearful  eye  ?  — 

Alas'!  that  thou  must  wed  at  morn, 
Or  morn  will  bring  thy  hour  to  die  ! 

Where  Ko-ko-ko-ho  to  the  night 
The  hour  of  midnight  sober  calls, 

Where  far  along  the  rocky  height 
The  silver  starlight  softly  falls, — 

Lo  !  sorrowing  maiden  form  appears ; 
And  lone  the  rocky  steeps  along 

Now  silent  pour  her  anguished  tears— 
Now  troubled  wakes  her  saddened  song. 


246  SONG  OF  WINONA. 


"Hush  thy  moaning,  Es-con-aw-baw, — 

Hear  my  cry ; 
Hark  the  plaint  of  lorn  Win-o-na, — 

She  must  die ! 
Gitche  Manito,  pity  me  !  pity  me  . — 

Linger  nigh; 
Bear  the  shade  of  lost  Winona 

To  the  sky ! 

"Wa-bun  An-nung,  Wa-bun  An-nung, 

Hasten,  come  ! 
Dwelling  where  the  shining  Spirits 

Happy  roam  ;  — 
Bring,  oh  !  bring  thy  charmed  Chee-maun 

O'er  the  foam ; 
Bear  Winona's  bruised  and  bleeding 

Spirit  home. 


"  Se-bow-ish-a,  Se-bow-ish-a, 

Sobbing  by ; 
Hoarse  Da-hin-da,  cease  thy  croaking — 

Doleful  cry ; 
Wa-won-ais-se,  Wa-won-ais-se, 

Plainting  nigh, 
Hearken  to  Winona's  moaning, — 

She  must  die ! 


SONG  OF  WINONA.  247 

"  Oft  when  Segwun  fair  shall  brighten 

All  the  plain, 
By  the  wigwam  shall  the  Shaw-shaw 

Build  again ; 
Dear  0-me-me  sing  her  lonesome 

Sad- refrain;  — 
But  her  song  will  lost  Winona 

Call  in  vain. 

"  Oft  shall  Minne-wa-wa  linger 

In  the  trees ; 
Oft  shall  Show-on-dai-se  whisper 

To  the  breeze ; 
Loud  the  Wa-wa  clang  his  honking 

On  the  seas  ; — 
But  no  more  shall  wake  Winona's 

Song  with  these. 

"  Soan-ge-ta-ha,  my  beloved  ! 

Evermore 
On  the  beautiful  Hereafter's 

Fairer  shore, 
Soan-ge-ta-ha's  dear  Winona, 

Gone  before, 

Still  will  be  his  Ne-ne-moosh-a, — 
Weep  no  more ! 


248  SONG  OF  WINONA. 

"1 

"  0  Gush-ke-wau  !  0  the  darkness  ! 

Part  the  gloom  ! 
Unk-ta-he,  low  make  Winona's 

Billowy  tomb  ! 
Ne-ba-naw-baigs  take  Winona's 

Spirit  home  ! 
Gitche  Manito,  pity  me  !  pity  me  ! 

Lo  !  I  come  !" 


A  shriek  ! — was  that  the  scream  of  bird  ? 
Was  it  Key-oshk's —  the  wing  I  saw  ? 

The  Ne-ba-naw-baigs,  waking  heard 
The  cry,  and  answered. —  "  Win-o-na  !" 

A  shriek  that  startled  all  the  plain, 
And  mournful  as  a  dying  swan  ; 

A  shriek  —  a  plash  ;  —  and  Night  again 
Sat  weeping  o'er  a  glory  gone. 

And  still  along  the  rocky  walls, 
The  listening  night-wind  hushed  in  awe, 

The  Ko-ko-ko-ho  nightly  calls  : 
"Lost  Win-o-na  !  lost  Win-o-na  !" 

And  far  the  answering  caves  along, 
The  Loon  from  many  a  lone  bayou, 

Shrieks  sorrowing  in  her  midnight  song  : 
"  Win-o-na—  0!    Win-o-na— 0  !!" 


WINONA.  249 

How  beauteous  shone  thy  maiden  fame, 
How  beauteous  where  thy  footsteps  stood, 

When,  sorrowing  in  thy  maiden  blame, 
Thou  trembledst  o'er  the  threatening  flood  ! 

What  yearnings  vain  thy  heart  possessed 
When  love's  sweet  morning-dream  decayed ; 

No  darlings  for  the  woman's  breast, 
No  lovelight  for  the  lonely  maid  ! 

And  oh,  what  anguish  over  all  — 
What  grief  the  aching  breast  enfolds, 

When  one  so  loved  and  beautiful 
Goes  sorrowing  to  the  Land  of  Souls  ! 

But  yet  metbinks  I  hear  the  cry 
From  many  and  many  a  breaking  heart : 
"Alas  !  alas  ! — oh,  would  that  I 
Had  chose  the  Indian  Maiden's  part !" 


THE  GREAT  SNAKE 


— OF — 


CANANDAIGUA  LAKE 


A  partial  sight,  a  narrow  view 
Has  he,  —  an  eye  to  error  prone, 

Who  only  sees  the  story  true 
That  tells  of  outward  truth  alone. 

The  fabled  fireside  stories  old, 
The  lore  in  childhood's  wonder  shrined, 

Do  nobler,  deeper  lessons  hold 
Of  Wisdom  for  the  wiser  mind. 


ORIGIN  OF  THE  SENECA  NATION. 


FAIR  in  a  goodly  land,  beside 
The  springs  of  Canandaigua,  still 

Yo-non-to  looms  along  the  tide, 
The  lofty  Nun-dow-aga  Hill ; 

That  wide  renowned  in  days  of  yore, 
Still  frequent  breath  of  wonder  stirs  ; 

Whose  earthy,  fecund  bosom  bore 
A  nation's  great  progenitors. 

What  time  from  out  his  shining  home 
The  mighty  Oway-neo  came, 

He  to  the  rocky  summit  clomb, 
And  all  the  air  was  wrapped  in  flame  ; 

Bright  seeming  girt  with  fiery  zone, 
Though  robed  in  mortal  garb  ;  nor  less 

His  lofty  brow  with  luster  shone 
Of  love's  diviner  tenderness. 


254  THE  GREAT  SNAKE  OF  CANANDAIGUA. 

While  she,  the  wood-emmantled  Hill, 
Blushed  red  through  all  her  summer  face, 

As,  chained  in  passion's  thrall  and  thrill, 
She  yielded  to  his  rapt  embrace ; 

O'er  all  the  plain  a  cloudy  fold 
A  glory  made  as  if  to  hide 

With  flaming  sunset's  fire  and  gold 
The  bliss  of  more  than  mortal  bride. 


All  unaware  of  maiden  blame, 
What  time  the  Seasons  onward  drew, 

Her  life  of  other  life  became 
A  part ;  —  or  so  in  seeming  grew ; 

A  marvel  more,  so  new  to  her 
The  miracle  of  life  to  prove  ; 

To  feel  the  quickening  pulse  and  stir 
That  wakes  the  fond  maternal  love. 


Still  more  a  wonder  day  by  day, 
Until  —  the  days  to  fullness  grown  — 

The  quarried  steep  in  travail  lay, 
In  mighty  child-birth  wail  and  moan. 

By  earthquake-pain  parturient  urged, 
The  parted  cliff  made  willing  way  ; 

And  lo  !  a  people  thence  emerged— 
The  great  and  noble  Seneca. 


ORIGIN  OF  THE  SENECA  NATION.  255 


And  lie,  whose  place  is  high  above,  *• 
Them  lent  his  fostering  love  and  care  ; 

Nor  knew  they  idle  wisli  to  rove 
From  land  so  passing  good  and  fair ; 

And  where  the  plain  in  beauty  showed, 
Sloped  greening  to  the  rippled  wave, 

Content  the  infant  tribe  abode, 
Each  tawny  maid  and  dusky  brave. 

The  manly  arms  so  brown  and  bare 
From  far  the  poles  of  cedar  brought ; 

And  many  a  flaggy  mat  and  fair 
The  damsels'  lighter  fingers  wrought ; 

Still  to  the  brake  and  to  the  wood 
The  willing  footsteps  came  and  went, 

Till  new,  in  home-like  comfort,  stood 
The  lowly  Indian's  barky  tent. 

And  in  the  years  that  onward  drew 
He  marked  the  Seasons  come  and  go ; 

Taught  of  each  varied  need,  he  knew 
To  shape  the  arrow,  string  the  bow, 

Swift-speed  the  pointed  shaft,  to  slay 
Skan-o-do,  to  unerring  pierce 

The  Mosa  on  the  hills  away, 
The  shaggy  Yek-wai,  prowling  fierce. 


256  THE   GREAT  SNAKE   OF  CANANDAIGUA. 

While  she  who  bore  life's  equal  part, 
Who  in  the  wigwam  toiling  sat, 

With  hand  more  deft  in  household  art, 
Wove  fair  the  waiting  couch  and  mat ; 

With  charms  than  maiden  charms  more  rare, 
Full-ripened  unto  matron  grace, 

With  gentle,  frugal  house-wife  care 
Made  bright  the  Yong-we's  home  and  place. 

And  waxing  strong,  and  more  and  more, 
The  hunters  roamed  the  farthest  wood  ; 

While  thick  along  the  grassy  shore 
The  new  built  wigwams  smiling  stood ; 

Where  oft  at  twilight's  dewy  fall, 
Afar  the  tranquil  seas  along 

Woke  childhood's  gleesome  shout  and  call, 
Or  dusky  forest-maiden's  song. 

With  skillful  bow,  with  valiant  arm, 
The  bravest  of  the  Hunter  Race, 

They  went  and  came,  secure  from  harm, 
With  eager  feet  pursued  the  chase  ; 

No  fear  of  foe  their  bosoms  felt, 
No  dread  forebode  of  coming  ill ; 

For  blest  with  peace  and  plenty  dwelt 
Content  — The  People  of  the  Hill. 


II 


THE  GREAT  SNAKE. 

How  oft,  alas  !  is  sorrow  wrought 
When  but  of  joy  we  careless  dream  ; 

How  oft  the  fairest  path  is  fraught 
With  danger  that  we  little  deem. 

How  oft  the  flower  we  nurture  best 
But  hides  the  wasp  with  fatal  sting ; 

Or  fondling  cherished  in  the  breast, 
But  proves  at  last  a  cursed  thing. 

What  time,  when  passed  the  winter  glooms, 
The  Wild-goose  clanged  his  song  amain, 

What  time  the  tender-burgeoned  blooms 
Of  spring-time  brightened  all  the  plain  ;  — 


When  bearing  proud  their  lesser  bow 
Beyond  the  Nun-dow-aga  Hill, 

With  eager  feet  that  come  and  go, 
Elate  their  little  game  to  kill, — 


258  THE   GREAT  SNAKE   OF  CAXAXDAIGVA. 


The  youthful  mimic  hunters  caught 
The  nursling  of  a  viper  brood  ; 

And  home  the  tiny  serpent  brought — 
A  reptile  beautiful  and  good. 

The  pretty  snake,  though  unrestrained, 
No  more  unto  the  wild  it  dreAV  ; 

But  in  the  wigwam  glad  remained, 
And,  fondly  cherished,  greatly  grew — . 

Beloved  of  all,  the  old  and  young, 
The  little  hands  the  creature  fed, 

To  see  it  draw  its  forked  tongue 
And  high  erect  its  shining  head. 

Delighted  still  to  see  it  grow 
Its  ever-growing  want  supplied, 

Until  in  vain  their  shaft  and  bow 
The  weaker  hands  industrious  plied. 


Then  portion  of  their  larger  game 
It  day  by  day  the  hunters  gave ; 

Till  o'er  the  wild  it  went  and  came, 
Or  fearless  tracked  the  foaming1  wave. 


THE  GREAT  SNAKE.  259 


Now  roaming  wide  ;  —  more  fleet  and  free  ; 
Nor  longer  beautiful  and  good  ; 

But  growing,  grew  accursed,  to  be 
A  dragon  of  tire  field  and  flood. 


So  great  and  strong,  it  fleetly  sped 
Like  winged  thing  from  shore  to  shore  ; 

Becoming  more  a  beast  of  dread — 
A  prowling  monster,  thriving  more. 

And  still  the  scaly  reptile  grew, 
Till  it  to  see  foreboded  ill ; 

Till  such  enormous  length  it  drew, 
It  quite  encircled  all  the  hill. 


And  still  it  grew,  and  grew,  till  vain 
It  battened  for  its  daily  food 

On  Mosa  from  the  farthest  plain, 
Skan-o-do  from  the  farthest  wood. 


And  grew,  and  grew,  and  grew,  until 
His  food,  but  not  his  hunger  failed  ; 

As  reaching  far  from  hill  to  hill, 
He  splashed  the  rivers  with  his  tail. 
34 


260  THE   GREAT  SNAKE   OF  CAXAXDAIGUA. 


Or  hissing  like  a  roaring  blast, 
With  eyes  like  demon,  fierce  and  red, 

Swift  as  the  wind  went  writhing  past, 
The  hapless  Indian's  scourg*e  and  dread. 

When  in  the  vale  he  horrid  sang 
The  frightened  beasts  with  howlings  fled  ; 

The  woods,  the  while  his  rattles  rang, 
Stood  shivering  with  a  scaly  dread. 

When  leaping  from  the  rocky  steeps 
He  floundered  in  the  frightened  waves, 

The  fishes  in  the  startled  deeps 
Went  shuddering  to  the  rocky  caves. 


With  jaws  distent  and  high  in  air, 
With  fiery  tongue,  that  went  and  came, 

A  roaming  horror  everywhere — 
Destroyer  of  the  Indian's  game. 


Ill 


THE    BATTLE, 


ALAKMED,  the  People  of  the  Hill 
Gazed  on  that  dragon  form  with  dread  ; 

And  questioned  now  how  they  might  kill 
The  ugly  beast  their  hand  had  fed. 


And  still  the  danger  heightened  more  ; 
More  near  the  monstrous  thing  they  saw  : 

More  frightful  woke  his  hiss  and  roar, 
More  wicked  clashed  his  hungry  jaw. 


And  still  more  wroth  the  reptile  grew, 
Still  more  the  growing  fear  appalled ; 

Till,  dark  in  doubt  what  they  might  do, 
The  warrior-braves  a  Council  called. 


Some  weakly  urged  to  spare  the  beast, 
It,  angered  more,  might  them  consume  ; 

And  oh,  what  shade  might  peaceful  rest, 
If  buried  in  such  awful  tomb  ! 


262     THE  GREAT  SNAKE  OF  CANANDAIGVA. 


Replied  the  braves  :  "If  all  unslain, 
Yet  death  were  certain  all  the  same  ; 

For  from  the  wood  and  from  the  plain 
Were  soon  devoured  the  hunter's  game. 

"  And  if  with  famine  fierce  subdued, 
More  sore  were  their  destruction  then  ; 

And  coward  life  is  never  good, 
But  always  good  to  die  like  men." 


The  while  the  bolder  chieftains  spoke, 
With  valor  shone  each  kindling  eye  ; 

Till  forth  the  cry  of  vengeance  broke : 
"The  Snake  must  die  !  the  Snake  must  die  ! !" 


The  warriors1  trusty  weapons  laid 
In  secret  place,  from  thence  were  drawn  ; 

And  spear  and  shaft  were  sharper  made 
For  fiercest  conflict  at  the  dawn. 


While  in  the  wigwams,  glooming  nigh, 
Throbbed  many  a  woman's  troubled  breast ; 

That  watched  the  dawn  with  tearful  eye  — 
More  close  her  little  ones  she  pressed. 


THE  BATTLE.  263 


Dim  rose  the  Hill,  in  darkness  walled, 
The  pines  their  midnight  shadows  cast ; 

But  dreader  sight  their  hearts  appalled 
When  tardy  morning  broke  at  last. 


And  oh  !  how  fear  to  terror  grew 
As  farthest  wigwam  closing  round, 

The  huge  and  wide-mouthed  reptile  drew 
His  scaly  length  along  the  ground. 

^ 

Encircling  all  the  town — his  size 
Enormous  —  barring  all  the  way, 

With  clanging  jaws  and  glaring  eyes, 
The  frightful  reptile  horrid  lay. 

Then  bravely  forth,  with  shaft  and  bow, 
The  warriors  swift  to  battle  flew  ; 

With  vigorous  arm,  expert  to  throw 
The  pointed  missile,  strong  and  true. 


And  woman  there  forgot  her  fear, 
And  dauntless  bore,  like  noble  brave, 

The  warrior-bow  and  shaft  and  spear, 
And  many  a  thrust  the  monster  gave. 


264  THE   GREAT  SNAKE   OF  CAXANDAIGVA. 


If  valor  fired  eacli  manly  arm, 
Love  more  her  hand  its  vigor  lent, 

To  shield  her  little  ones  from  harm  — 
Her  darlings  in  the  waiting  tent. 


But  for  each  murderous  missile  thrown 
The  more  the  brute  their  wrath  defied  ; 

Till  broke  their  spears,  their  arrows  gone, 
And  none  had  pierced  his  scaly  hide. 


Till  sore  in  every  purpose  foiled, 
They,  weak  and  wounded,  sick  and  spent, 

Loth  from  the  fearful  strife  recoiled — 
Sought  refuge  in  the  inner  tent. 


And  resting  there  their  weary  feet, 
Their  grief  they  bore  with  patient  heart 

Ate  sparing  of  their  little  meat, 
Until  the  monster  might  depart. 


And  so  they  tarried  many  a  day, 
Till  on  them  frowned  a  darker  fate  ; 

For  still  the  awful  reptile  lay, 
His  jaws  wide-yawning  at  the  gate. 


THE  BATTLE.  265 


And  forth  again  the  warriors  bore 
Their  shivered  spears,  with  brave  intent, 

To  fight  the  fearful  battle  o'er. 
For  hunger  fierce  new  courage  lent. 

But  all  in  vain  each  valiant  hand 
Assailed  the  brute  with  thrust  and  throw  ; 

And  never  braver  warrior-band 
Did  battle  give  more  desperate  foe. 

Some  frantic  made  with  fear  and  pain, 
Rushed  mad  to  pile  the  savage  feast ; 

Though  swift  devoured,  such  pittance  vain 
But  hungered  more  the  insatiate  beast. 


And  some  in  terror  thought  to  flee 
The  dragon's  flinty  side  to  climb ; 

But  swaying  like  an  angry  sea, 
He  crushed  them  in  the  ooze  and  slime. 


Still  shrieking  ran  the  maniac  din, 
Still  clashed  his  frightful  jaw  amain, 

Till  last  of  all  those  noble  men 
Had  the  devouring  monster  slain. 


IY 


THE    VICTORY. 


How  frequent,  in  the  battle  tried, 
Alone  the  weaker  hands  prevail ; 

While  freely  flows  the  crimson  tide 
From  bosoms  clad  in  iron  mail. 


Still  rests  with  Oway-neo  great 
The  victory  in  the  fiercest  strife  ; 

They  triumph  at  the  last  who  wait 
On  Him  who  Master  is  of  Life. 


Low-fallen  lay  each  noble  brave, 
The  wigwams  empty  pressed  the  plain ; 

Save  one  alone  that  shelter  gave 
To  Yong-we  with  her  children  twain  : 


Who,  spared  her  kinsmens'  sadder  fate 
Still  lingered  in  that  frightful  place  ; 

Lone  with  her  little  ones  she  sat :  — 
Sad  remnant  of  a  noble  Race. 


THE    VICTORY.  267 


And  forth  at  dusk  she  softly  crept 
To  bear  them  to  the  sheltering  wood  ; 

While  prone  the  snaky  monster  slept, 
Made  drunken  with  his  feast  of  blood. 


As  fleet  as  flees  the  startled  hare, 
She  to  the  leafy  covert  fled  ; 

Her  weary  feet  she  rested  there, 
Bewailing  still  her  kindred  dead. 


Still  for  her  grief  no  comfort  knew, 
No  sleep  her  eyes  so  tearful  saw, 

Till  midnight  bright  with  vision  grew, 
And  all  the  land  was  hushed  in  awe. 


Lo  !  on  the  dark,  with  glowing  haft, 
An  arrow  shone  :  with  wondrous  skill 

Thence  was  she  taught  to  shape  the  shaft 
Wherewith  that  monster  she  might  kill. 


Straightway  with  patient  hand  she  wrought 
The  weapon  ;  —  at  the  peep  of  day 

She  forth  that  venomed  reptile  sought, 
Alone  the  wanton  brute  to  slay. 
35 


268  THE   GREAT  SNAKE   OF  CANANDAIGVA. 


Strong  in  her  heaven-instructed  art, 
She  near  approached  the  dreadful  beast ; 

Deep  pierced  the  sleeping  monster's  heart, 
Gorged  frightful  with  his  horrid  feast. 


Mad  writhing  in  his  mortal  pain, 
With  many  a  dying  roar  and  wail, 

That  dragon  awful  lashed  the  plain 
And  farthest  hill-side  with  his  tail. 


More  fierce  than  tempest-tiding  storm, 
The  lofty  pine,  the  mighty  oak, 

That  demon-like  contracted  form 
Like  fragile  reeds  to  splinters  broke. 


The  beasts  that,  howling,  fled  the  plain 
Felt  all  the  earth  with  terror  quake 

As,  rolling  down  the  slope  amain. 
He  plunged  into  the  foaming  lake. 


He  there  his  human  victims  vain 
Disgorged  along  the  crimson  shore ; 

Then  with  one  throe  of  dying  pain 
Sank  slowly, —  and  was  seen  no  more. 


THE   VICTORY.  269 


And  she  whose  hand  the  arrow  sped,- 
If  noble  deeds  may  gladness  win — 

Rejoiced  to  see  the  monster  dead, 
Destroyer  of  her  tribe  and  kin. 


Thence  from  the  Canandaigua  shore, 
Beyond  the  sorrow-darkened  land, 

Afar  with  hurrying  feet,  she  bore 
Her  children  with  a  loving  hand. 


Built  them  a  wigwam  by  the  mere, 
By  Canadesogars  tranquil  wave  ; 

With  them  abode  unvexed  of  fear, 
And  reared  them  to  be  wise  and  brave. 


And  from  them  sprang  in  after  days, 
And  worthy  of  their  race  and  name, 
'    The  brave  and  noble  Senecas,  — 
The  mightiest  warriors  known  to  fame. 


Yet  if  there  was  a  snake  at  all 
Some  fain  would  question  ; — some  at  least 

Would  count  my  story  mythical 
Of  her  that  slew  the  dreadful  beast. 


270     THE  GREAT  SNAKE  OF  CANAXDAIGVA. 


But  many  a  hill-side  gully  shows, 
In  many  a  forest  still  abides 

Some  token  of  the  awful  throes 
Wherewith  the  frightful  monster  died. 


And  still  the  curious  eye  may  see 
Where  Canandaigua's  billows  moan, 

Out-spewed  in  death's  last  agony, 
The  victim's  skulls  transformed  to  stone. 


Nor  valor  less  her  bosom  bore, 
But  more  her  greatness  stands  confessed 

If  chance  it  were  no  serpent,  more 
Than  lives  to-day  in  every  breast. 


THE    SHINING    MANITO. 


GREAT  Manabo-zho  sailing  lone 

Remotest  tide, 

As  drawing  nigh  to  shores  unknown, 
Bright  on  the  hills  afar  he  spied, 

And  strange  and  new, 
Lodge  of  the  Shining  Manito. 

With  warrior  pride,  he  all  night  long 

And  unafraid, 

Shaped  spear  and  bow  and  arrow  strong, 
And  brought  his  weapons  ready  made 

At  dawning  light, 
And  stripped  and  armed  him  for  the  fight. 

Then  he  the  conflict  dread  began  : 

The  war-whoop  gave ; 
"Surround  him  !"  yelled,  as  on  he  ran, — 
"Run  up  !  run  up  ! !"  as  with  him,  brave, 

Were  there  and  then 
Three  times  a  hundred  armed  men. 


272  THE  SHINING  MANITO. 

Fierce  did  all  day  that  battle  wage, — 

More  furious  grew ; 

Wide  o'er  the  land  did  storm  and  rage  : 
Nor  wound  had  he  —  that  Manito, 

So  all  complete 
In  wampum  clad  from  head  to  feet. 

Thick  fell  the  bloAvs —  the  arrows  sped  : 

ktO  it  was  you  !" 

Cried  Manabo-zho — "You  !"  he  said, 
"  My  kindred,  my  Ne-me-sho  slew ! " 

Till  left  had  he 
Of  all  his  arrows  only  three. 

Just  then  a  gentle  voice  he  heard — 

Past  Ma-ma  flew ; 
''.0  Manabo-zho  P  spake  the  bird, 
As  he  another  arrow  drew, 
"  Of  wampum  bare 
His  crown  ; — shoot  at  that  tuft  of  hair." 

As  he  let  fly  straight  at  that  spot, 

Lo  !  blood  he  saw  ; 
He  then  his  second  arrow  got, — 

This  brought  him  low  ;  a  third  did  draw 

Full  on  his  head, 
And  down  that  Manito  fell  dead. 


THE  SHINING  MANITO.  273 

Then,  uttering  his  Saw-saw-quan, 

His  scalp  he  drew  ; 
He  took  the  blood,  as  wide  it  ran, 

And  Ma-ma's  head — the  friend  so  true  — 

As  seen  to-day, 
All  gory  red,  he  painted  gay. 


THE  FLOOD. 

Among  the  mighty  deeds,  still  told 
In  legends  dim, 

Of  Manabo-zho  strong  and  bold, 
None  is,  of  all  the  tales  of  him 
From  days  of  old, 
More  strange  or  true, 

Than  how  he  built  the  world  anew. 


As  journeying  far  by  many  a  reach 
Of  billowy  strand, 

He  saw,  stretched  on  the  sandy  beach, 
And  guarded  by  a  faithful  band 
Wound  each  with  each 
And  dazzling  bright, 

The  Prince  of  Serpents,  snowy  white. 


So  late  from  battle  won,  he  knew 

No  fear  of  foe ; 

With  all  his  strength  his  bow  he  drew, 
Full  on  his  heart  the  shaft,  let  go, 


THE  FLOOD.  275 

Fell  swift  and  true  ; 
Then  shouting  dread 
His  Saw-saw-quan,  away  he  fled. 

Then  horrid  cried  the  Serpents  —  "  See  ! 

Our  Prince  is  slain  ! 
0  Manabo-zho  !— it  is  He  ! !  — 

But  we  will  catch  him  !"  as  amain 

By  land  and  sea 

They,  hissing,  ran 
In  chase  of  him — that  Mighty  Man  ! 

Them  Manabo-zho  heard  the  while 

As  on  he  sped 

O'er  hill  and  vale — each  step  a  mile  !  — 
Heard  close  behind  the  writhing  tread 

Of  creatures  vile ; 

And  well  he  knew 
In  each  an  Evil  Manito. 

He  mountain  climbed  —  the  highest  tree  — 

The  topmost  height ; 
O'er  all  the  land  a  boundless  sea 
Did  rush  and  swash  ;  —  Oh  !  fearful  sight ! 
Up  to  his  knee 
The  waters  drew, 

Still  higher —  higher  round  him  grew. 
36 


276  THE  FLOOD. 

A  cry  great  Manabo-zho  gave  : 

"  Grandfather  wise 

Do  stretch  yourself — Ne-me-sho  brave  !"' 
And  quick  that  tree  did  taller  rise  — 
Out  of  the  wave 
Him  upward  bore  ; 
But  still  the  waters  heightened  more. 

Thrice  did  he  call ;  thrice  from  the  tide 

That  tree  did  grow  ; 
Still  higher  rose  the  billows  wide  ; 
"  Alas  !  I  can  no  higher  go," 

The  tree  replied ; 

While  yet  he  prayed, 
Just  at  his  chin  the  waters  stayed. 

Near  on  the  waste  a  Loon  did  pass  : 

"  0  Brother  true  ! 

Down  —  get  of  earth  a  little  mass," 
He  said,  "to  build  the  World  anew :" 

That  bird,  alas ! 

Though  diver  bold, 
Thence  rose  a  lifeless  form  and  cold. 

Then  to  the  Musk-Rat,  swimming  nigh  : 

U0  Brother !  bring 
A  little  earth  ;  down — down  and  try  ; 


THE  FLOOD.  277 


Each  grassy  tarn  and  reedy  spring, 
As  days  gone  by 
Your  home  shall  be, 
Or  on  the  land,  or  on  the  sea.1' 


He  too  did  down  ;  rose  like  the  Loon, 

A  lifeless  thing ; 

But  in  his  nostrils  breathing,  soon 
He,  Manabo-zho,  him  did  bring 

The  precious  boon 

Of  life  ;  —  and  then 
Said  he  —  "My  Brother,  try  again." 

Next  time  a  little  soil  he  drew 

Up  from  the  seas  ; 
This  Manabo-zho  added  to 

The  drowned  Loon  ;  and  built  of  these 

The  World  anew, 

As  you  can  see  — 
With  every  beast  and  bird  and  tree. 


ORIGIN  OF  THE  RED  WILLOW. 

Once  on  a  time  a-hunting  went 
Great  Manaho-zho  :  with  his  bow 
He  traveled  on  through  wind  and  snow  ; 

At  length,  just  as  the  day  was  spent, 
High  perched  upon  a  withered  tree, 
Afar  he  spied  a  Kee-wau-nee  ; 

He  fixed  an  arrow,  creeping  nigher, 
He  shot  it,  and  the  bird  did  bring 
Into  the  woods,  where  was  a  spring  ; 

He  plucked  the  feathers,  built  a  fire, 
And  by  the  flame,  to  cook  it  quick, 
He  stuck  it  on  a  forked  stick. 

And  then  he  said,  "  I  think  that  I 
Will  take  a  nap.1'  "  Here  legs,"  said  he, 
You  roast  the  bird  —  the  Kee-wau-nee  ; 

See  it  don't  burn  ;  let  none  come  nigh 
To  touch  it ;  and  be  sure  you  keep 
A-watch  :"  — and  then  he  went  to  sleep. 


ORIGIN  OF  THE  RED    WILLOW.  279 

A  hungry  Wolf — the  0-kwa-ho, 
That  near,  but  warily,  had  crept, 
Came  —  seeing  Manabo-zho  slept ; 
"  My  Brothers,  walking  through  the  snow, 
You  must,"  he  said,  "  to  come  so  far, 
Be  tired — as  indeed  you  are." 

"Yes,"  —  said  the  legs, —  "  We  came  from  wide 
Beyond  the  rising  sun  to-day  ;  — 
Brought  Manabo-zho  a1!  the  way." 

"He  sleeps,  you  watch,"  the  Wolf  replied  ; 
He  has  a  coat  of  skins  to  wear, 
While  you,  my  Brothers,  you  are  bare." 

Then  forth  he  furry  leggins  drew  : 
"With  hunger  I  am  almost  dead  ;  — 
Give  me  the  bird,  and  I,"  ho  said, 

Will  give  you  these,  so  warm  and  new  ; 
To  Manabo-zho  you  can  say  :  — 
'  It  came  to  life  and  flew  away.' " 

The  legs,  cajoled  by  flattery, 
Did  give  consent ;  as  they  were  bid, 
Behind  a  log  the  leggins  hid  ; 

Them  they  would  show  another  day 
To  Manabo-zho,  and  declare 
That  truly  they  had  found  them  there. 


280  ORIGIN  OF  THE  RED    WILLOW. 

But  Manabo-zho  sleeping  yet, 
They  brought,  and  on  the  leggins  tried ; 
Their  color,  warmth,  elate  with  pride, 

Admiring,  —  all  their  shape  and  fit ; 
When  Manabo-zho  woke  ;  said  he  — 
"  Where  is  the  bird, —  the  Kee-wau-nee  ?" 

"  It  came  to  life  and  flew  away," 
They  said ;  —  "  The  Master  of  Life,  He  blew 
Upon  the  fowl,  and  off  it  flew. 
"And  whence  these  leggins  ?"  Ah  !  said  they 
"We  found  them  in  the  woods ;  we  did 
Indeed, —  there  by  some  hunter  hid." 

Them  Manabo-zho  taking,  he 
Did  smell  them  ;  then  more  wroth  he  grew  ; 
"  I  see,  what  I  had  thought  was  true," 

He  said  —  "who  stole  the  Kee-wau-nee; 
I  see,  as  I  had  cause  to  fear, 
The  Wolf,  my  cousin,  has  been  here." 

As  him  his  legs  did  homeward  bear, 
He  cut  a  switch  ;  at  every  stride 
He  switched  them,  till  all  gory-dyed  ; 

The  willows,  that  so  yellow  were 
Before,  became,  —  as  you  can  see,  — 
As  red  with  blood  as  red  can  be. 


THE    BEAR-WIFE. 


IN  days  of  old 

There  lived  an  Indian  hunter  bold  ; 
In  childhood  skilled 

In  hunting,  he  a  Bear  had  killed  ; 

To  more  extol  and  record  fair 

A  deed  so  famed, 

His  people  hence  him  Yek-wai  named- 
Named  him  the  Bear. 


When  manhood  came 
He  hunted  Bears,  his  chosen  game ; 

And  many  a  beast 

Slain  by  his  hand,  had  piled  the  feast ; 
Until  no  more  that  shaggy  brute 

Did  near  abound ; 
By  hunters  brave  alone  was  found 

In  wilds  remote. 


282  THE  REAR-WIFE. 

Once  far  away, 
When  hunting  vain,  at  close  of  day, 

His  path  beside 

A  stranger  wigwam  glad  he  spied ; 
And  coming  there,  he  raised  the  mat : 

The  inmates  all, 
Lo  !  they  were  Bears,  both  great  and  small, 

That  smoking  sat. 

A  seat  he  sought, — 
He  silent  smoked  the  pipe  they  brought. 

They  offered  meat; 
He  took,  and  silently  did  eat ; 

And  when  refreshed  with  food  and  rest, 

An  old  gray  Bear, 
The  Chief,  with  friendly  speech  and  fair, 

Thus  him  addressed :  — 

u  My  son,"  said  he, 
"  Among  us  I  am  glad  to  see 

One  known  of  old, 
Though  only  as  a  hunter  bold  ; 
But  oh  !  we  Bears  do  suffer  sore 

For  all  your  fame. 
The  she  Bears  tremble  at  your  name  ;  — 

Hunt  us  no  more.'1 


THE  BEAR-WIFE.  283 

"  Come  live  with  me  ; 
A  pleasant  life  our  life  shall  be. 

Of  savory  things, — 
Of  fruits  of  earth  the  Summer  brings, 
Fruits  good  alike  for  Bears  and  Men, 

We  eat  our  fill ; 

Then  sleep  the  winter  long,  until 
Spring  comes  again." 

'  My  daughter,  too, 
I,  for  a  wife,  will  give  to  you." 
AVhen  she  came  nigh, 
And  moccasins  so  warm  and  dry 
Put  on  his  feet ;  while  she  did  lean 

All  unafraid, 

He  thought  he  had  no  Indian  maid 
So  lovely  seen. 

And  biding  there, 
•He  took  for  wife  that  Woman-bear ; 

They,  void  of  strife, 
Lived  happily  in  wedded  life. 
Two  sons  ere  while  she  bore  to  him ; 

Like  her,  one  son 
A  Bear  became  ;  an  Indian  one 
In  mind  and  limb. 
37 


284  THE  BEAR -WIFE. 

The  Bear-child,  sore 
Oppressed  with  heat,  the  mother  bore 

With  her  to  sleep 
Into  the  caves,  so  cool  and  deep  ; 
The  other,  left  alone  in  pain, 

With  hunger  pressed, 
Would  call  and  cry  for  mother's  breast 

And  arms  in  vain. 

When  ripe  and  good 
The  nuts  were  fallen  in  the  wood  — 

Lay  thick  below, 

The  Bear-wife  said — "Stay  while  I  go 
And  gather  acorns  : "  with  her  kin 

Afar  she  went ; 

And  Yek-wai  tarried  well  content 
The  lodge  within. 

But  tired  at  last, 
Into  the  woods  he  wary  passed 

A  little  way, 
As  on  each  still-remembered  day, 

With  shaft  and  bow ;  and  looking  well 

About,  he  saw 
A  fat  she  Bear ;  on  her  did  draw, — 

And  down  she  fell. 


THE  BEAR-WIFE.  285 

Oh  !  fatal  shot ! 
For  when  he  came  nigh  to  the  spot, 

He  there,  with  awe, 
His  Bear-wife's  sister,  bleeding  saw  : 
"0  cruel  man  !"  she  cried;  —  uin  vain 

Our  kindness  shown ; 
Leave  us  I  pray  !  —  unto  your  own 

Return  again.'1 

Straight  did  he  go 
Back  to  the  lodge  ;  pretending  so 

By  speech  and  air 

That  all  the  time  he  had  been  there  ; 
The  Chief  knew  all :  —  with  anger  seized, 

Would  Yek-wai  kill, 
But  that  the  Bear-wife's  woman  skill 

His  wrath  appeased. 

The  Autumn  passed ; 
The  Winter  came  ;  the  Bears,  at  last, 

As  all  Bears  do, 
Into  their  winter-lodge  withdrew. 

There  Yek-wai  with  his  Bear-wife  went ; 

And  lovingly 
Together  in  a  hollow  tree 

They  lived  content. 


286  THE  BEAR-WIFE. 

But  them  erewhile 
A  hunter  spied.     To  him  beguile, 

Out  of  the  hole 
All  cautiously  the  Bear-wife  stole  ; 

Jumped  from  the  tree  ;  with  leap  and  bound 

And  lame-pretence 
Allured  him  on,  —  escaping  thence 

Without  a  wound. 


When  home  again 
Returned,  she  cried  —  "Unhappy  man  ! 

0  Yek-wai !  pray 

Go  back,  and  with  your  people  stay  : 
Our  union  has  brought  only  ill ; 

You  killed,  ah  me  ! 
My  sister ;  now  your  friends,  you  see, 

Seek  us  to  kill." 


"  It  is  not  well 
That  bears  and  men  together  dwell  ; 

Each  with  its  kind, 
As  the  Great  Spirit  has  designed, 
Alone  is  good  for  men  and  bears  ; 

As  we  can  see, 
A  different  habitation  he 

For  each  prepares." 


THE  BEAR-WIFE.  287 

And  Yek-wai  then 
Unto  his  tribe  returned  again;  — 

Took  thence  his  son; 
The  bear-wife  kept  the  bear-like  one. 
And  though  he  led  a  hunter-life 

Full  many  a  year, 
No  she  bear  would  he  kill,  for  fear 

To  kill  his  wife. 


SHIN-GE-BIS. 

He,  Shin-ge-bis,  so  bold  and  free, 
Was  duck  or  man,  as  he  might  please  ; 

Him,  in  his  barky  wigwam,  He, 
Kabi-bonok-ka,  could  not  freeze  ; 

But  four  small  logs  the  winter  through 
Had  he  to  burn  to  keep  him  warm  ; 

Yet  stout  of  heart,  no  fear  he  knew — 
Laughed  at  the  Winter's  raging  storm. 

The  Windy  God— the  North  Wind  cold 
uWho  is  the  wondrous  man  ?"  —  said  he  : 
u  I  do  not  like  such  daring  bold  ;  — 
This  Shin-ge-bis  must  mastered  be  ; 
I  high  will  pile  the  drifting  snow, 
Will  freeze  the  lakes  —  the  rivers  fast ; 
Will  bid  the  mighty  tempests  blow, 
And  with  a  tenfold  fiercer  blast.1' 


SHIN-GE-BIS  289 

Still  Shin-ge-bis,  through  storm  and  gloam, 
Unto  the  reedy  mere  he  went ; 

His  strings  of  fish  came  dragging  home ;  — 
Cooked,  ate  and  slept  he,  well  content ; 

Sang  to  the  fire-light's  paling  glow, 
As  on  his  bear-skin  couch  he  lay : 
"  Kabi-bonok-ka,  blow,  and  blow  — 
Kabi-bonok-ka,  go  your  way." 

Swift  winged  the  North  Wind  o'er  the  land, 
Unto  the  wigwam  wroth  he  came  ; 

There  Shin-ge-bis  saw,  listening,  stand — 
Saw  just  beside  the  barky  frame, 

Kabi-bonok-ka,  chill  and  wan  ; 
Still  louder  rang  his  roundelay : 
"Ho  !  Shin-ge-bis  is  still  your  man  — 
Ho  !  Windy  God,  I  know  }rour  way." 

Wild  and  more  shrill  the  North  Wind  blew, 
And  yet  a  colder  blast  he  sent ; 

Then,  as  aside  the  mat  he  drew, 
He  stalked  into  the  reedy  tent, — 

Sat  mute  beside  the  failing  fire  ; 
Without,  the  tempest's  roar  and  clang 

Rose  louder — higher  still  and  higher ; 
Yet  Shin-ge-bis,  he  careless  sang : 


21)0  SHIN-GE-BIS. 

"Ho  !  you  are  but  my  fellow  man  !" 
He  stirred  the  coals,  a  warmer  glow 
They  gave  ;  the  tears  free  overran 
Kabi-bonok-ka's  eyes  of  snow— 

Fell  streaming  down  ;"  Alas  !"  said  he, 
"I  cannot  stay — this  will  not  do, 

I  cannot  master  him,  I  see  ; 
His  is  a  mighty  Manito." 

Then  from  the  wigwam  silently 
He  went ;  still  fleeing  far  and  long  ; 

Still  on  the  land,  or  on  the  sea 
He  heard  of  Shin-ge-bis  the  song  : 

"Heigh  ho  !  my  Windy  God  !"  —sang  he, 
Let  blow  the  fiercest  blasts  you  may  ; 

Still  Shin-ge-bis  will  happy  be— 
You  cannot  freeze  him — go  your  way.11 


SPEECH  OF  ME-TEY-A. 

Me-tey-a :  thou  didst  make  thine  own 
Thy  people's  wrongs  —  still  unredressed. 

Remembering  the  despairing  moan 
That  struggled  through  thy  vain  protest, 

I  hear  again,  or  seem  to  hear :  — 
l'My  Father,  hearken  what  I  say  ; 

Have  pity  on  your  children  dear — 
They  would  not  go  afar  away. 

"You  see  our  land  is  very  fair  ;  — 
We  sold  you  of  our  land  before  ; 

Your  children  built  their  wigwams  there  ; 
Already  you  are  asking  more  ; 

But  oh  !  we  cannot  sell  you  all— 
We  cannot  sell  our  homes  to-day  ; 

Our  country  now  is  all  too  small ; 
We  would  not  go  afar  away. 
38 


292  SPEECH  OF  ME-TEY-A. 


"This  land — this  goodly  land — you  see, 
The  Mighty  Manito,  he  gave 

To  grow  the  Indian's  corn,  and  be 
His  hunting-ground,  his  home,  and  grave  ; 

We  built  our  homes  here  long  ago  — 
Here  where  you  see  our  homes  to-day  ; 

It  was  our  father's  home  ;  and  oh  ! 
We  would  not  go  afar  away. 

"  Our  hearts  are  good  :  —  but  do  not  seek 
For  more  to  get  our  little  land  ; " 

Your  dusky  childrens'  hands  are  weak— 
My  Father's  is  a  mighty  hand. 

0  !  open  wide  your  ears  ;  —  0  !  let 
Your  hearts,  too,  hearken  what  I  cay  ; 

1  speak  for  all  in  Council  met ;  — 
We  would  not  go  afar  away. 

"Look  on  our  aged  warriors  there, 
Look  on  our  women's  trembling  fears  ; 

Look  on  our  children,  pleading  fair, — 
Have  pity  on  our  falling  tears ; 

See  where  my  people's  wigwams  stand, 
There  would  your  dusky  children  stay  ; 

How  can  they  leave  their  Father-land  ? 
We  cannot  go  afar  away." 


SPEECH  OF  ME-TEY-A.  293 

Might  heart  of  love  or  tongue  of  fire 
Prevail  aggression's  hand  to  stay 

Where  proudly  points  yon  glittering  spire, 
Had  been  thy  People's  home  to-day ; 

Where  flaming  meteors,  glaring  red, 
Fright  all  the  plain  with  hurrying  din, 

Had  lightly  woke  thy  children's  tread, 
Their  cheerful  Home-fire  bright  had  been. 

Or  where  the  springs  of  Kankakee 
The  grassy  meadows  interlace, 

Might,  as  of  old,  securely  be 
Thy  lowly  People's  dwelling  place. 

Of  what  avail  these  tears  that  flow, 
More  than  availed  thy  mournful  "Nay  ?"- 

Thy  latest  kinsman  long  ago 
Went  sorrowing  on  —  afar  away. 


THE  LAST  OF  THE  HUNTER-RACE. 


Ye  lingering  few,  who  suffering  bide  — 
Who  wander  where  the  falling  moon 

Looks  on  Missouri's  farthest  tide, 
Fair  silvers  o'er  each  lone  lagoon  ; 

Far-exiled  from  your  native  plains 
Ye  homesick  roam  the  desert-wild, 

Or  where  Sierra-winter  reigns, 
With  mountains  high  on  mountains  piled. 

With  grief  in  other  years  unknown, 
When  crimson  ran  each  bleeding  breast, 

I  hear  afar  your  dying  moan 
Go  shrieking  down  the  fading  West. 

The  fading  West !  —  even  now  I  see 
Your  footsteps  on  its  farthest  shore  ; 

The  fading  West ! — there  soon  will  be 
For  you  a  fading  West  no  more. 


THE  LAST  OF  THE  HUNTER-RACE.  295 

And  when  no  more  a  fading  West 
These  anxious  eyes  shall  seek  in  vain, 

Where  shall  my  failing  People  rest  ?  — 
Their  home-bright  wigwams  build  again  ? 

Or  who  in  the  far  years  shall  tell 
That  this  broad  land,  so  fair  unrolled, 

Where  now  the  Pale-face  Strangers  dwell 
Was  all  your  heritage  of  old  ? 

Yet  on — still  on, —  unresting  flee 
Till  bounded  by  the  billowy  waste ; 

For  oh  !  a  more  remorseless  sea 
Bids  your  retreating  footsteps  haste  ; 

The  hurrying,  eager  Hosts  of  Toil 
On — like  a  fiery  billow  sweep, 

To  spoil  the  wild — with  it  to  spoil 
Your  homes  beside  the  rolling  deep. 

Low  in  the  sunset's  waning  light, 
Above  the  hungry,  roaring  waves, 

I  see,  as  with  prophetic  sight, 
The  last  of  all  the  Hunter  Braves  ; 

With  warrior  arm  uplifted  high, 
And  crying  to  the  Indian's  God, 

With  one  long,  last,  despairing  cry 
He  sinks  in  the  devouring  flood. 


296  THE  LAST  OF  THE  HUNTER-RACE. 

Gone — all  are  gone — the  noble  dead, 
Save  from  this  sorely-aching  breast ; 

Though  prone  I  linger,  all  are  fled 
Of  forms  and  sounds  I  love  the  best. 

No  more  return  the  days  gone  by  — 
The  mournful  waves  along  the  shore 

Blend  with  my  own  their  wail  and  cry, 
And  echo  back — ""No  more  ! — no  more  ! !" 


The  Wheat  cast  in  the  earth,  it  needs  must  wait 

The  slow  on-coming  time; 
The  autumn's  gloom,  the  ivinler' s  frost  and  rain 

And  glow  of  summer's  sunshine,  ere  it  yield 
The  bread-filled  ears.  Yet  shall  the  seed  again 
Return  unto  the  soicer;  soon  or  late 

Comes  to  the  rudest  clime 
The  Harvest- home;  and  every  well-tilled  field 
Bears  at  the  last  its  wealth  of  golden  grain. 


NOTES. 


Note  1.  "  Ye  lingering  few  icho  weakly  stand  Page  6. 

Where  strong  of  old  your  fathers  stood." 

"  There  are  still  residing  in  the  State  of  New  York  about  four  thousand  Iro- 
quois [1851] .  The  several  fragments  of  the  nations  yet  continue  their  relation- 
ships and  intercourse  with  each  other,  and  cling  to  the  shadow  of  the  ancient 

League." 

LEWIS  H.  MORGAN'S  League  of  the  Iroquois. 

It  is  claimed  that  their  numbers  are  now  slowly  on  the  increase. 

Note  2.  "  Hid  in  the  sacred  wampum-band."  Page  8. 

"  The  original  Wampum  of  the  Iroquois,  in  which  the  laws  of  the  League  were 
recorded,  was  made  of  spiral  fresh-water  shells,  Ote-ko-a,  which  were  strung  on 
deer-skin  strings,  or  sinews,  and  the  strands  braided  into  belts,  or  simply  united 
into  strings." —  Ibid. 

Note  3.  "  Traced  only  by  the  narrow  trail  Page  13. 

That  dusky  moccasined  feet  had  made." 

Not  only  the  villages  of  the  Iroquois  were  connected  by  well-worn  trails,  but 
there  was  one  principal  trail  that  extended  all  the  distance  from  the  Hudson 
River  to  Lake  Erie. 

"  It  was  usually  from  twelve  to  eighteen  inches  wide,  and  deeply  worn  in  the 
ground ;  varying  in  this  respect  from  three  to  six,  and  even  twelve  inches,  de- 
pending upon  the  firmness  of  the  soil.  The  large  trees  on  each  side  were  fre- 
quently marked  with  the  hatchet.  This  well-beaten  foot-path,  which  no  runner, 
nor  band  of  -warriors  could  mistake,  had  doubtless  been  trodden  by  successive 
generations  from  century  to  century.  *  *  While  it  is  scarcely  possible  to  ascertain 
a  more  direct  route  than  the  one  pursued  by  this  trail,  the  accuracy  with  which  it 
was  traced  from  point  to  point  to  save  distance,  is  extremely  surprising." 

League  of  the  Iroquois,  p.  429. 

Note  4.  "  The  cry  of  beast  or  scream  of  bird  Page  19. 

That  sorrow's  dim  monitions  bear." 

The  Indian  is  a  firm  believer  in  a  multitude  of  signs  and  omens — in  transfor- 
mations, incarnations,  and  possessions ;  an  animal,  as  a  deer,  a  bear,  or  a  bird> 
may  be  a  messenger  of  good  or  evil.  The  natural  proneuess  of  the  Indian's 
mind  to  superstition  has  baen  enhanced,  no  doubt,  by  their  marvelous  legends 
and  fables  handed  down  from  generation  to  generation. 


300  NOTES. 


Note  5.  "  Some  spirit  of  the  earth  or  air."  Page  29. 

"  Spirits  of  the  earth  and  air  abound  on  every  hand,  who  stand  ready  to  lend 
their  aid  by  inhabiting  human  bodies,  or  by  sanding  monsters,  or  giants,  or  pig- 
mies, to  do  the  needed  work.  The  whole  creation  is  filled  with  these  lesser  spir- 
its, of  benign  or  malignant  character,  who  at  one  moment  spring  out  of  a  rock, 
or  a  tree,  or  a  plant,  or  animate  a  shell,  an  insect  or  a  bird." 

Oneota,  by  H.  K.  SCHOOLCBAFT,  p.  259. 


Note  6.  "Just  by  the  day's  departing  track  Page  30. 

Great  Inigorio's  shining  tent." 

"  The  O-jib-was,  and,  indeed,  nearly  all  the  North  American  Indians,  situate 
their  Paradise  to  the  west. 

"An  O-jib-wa  legend  runs  thus :  Paradise  was  made  by  Manabo-zho.  He  aided 
the  Great  Spirit  in  the  creation  of  the  world,  and  at  first  neither  of  them  thought 
of  a  Paradise.  Man,  such  was  their  decree,  should  be  happy  in  this  earth,  and 
find  a  satisfaction  in  this  life ;  but  as  the  Evil  Spirit  interfered,  and  produced 
wickedness,  illness,  death  and  misfortune  of  every  description  among  them,  the 
poor  souls  wandered  about  deserted  and  homeless.  When  the  Great  Spirit  saw 
this  he  grieved  for  them,  and  ordered  Manabo-zho  to  prepare  a  paradise  for  them 
in  the  west,  where  they  might  assemble.  Manabo-zho  made  it  very  beautiful,  and 
he  was  himself  appointed  to  receive  them  there." 

Kitchi  Garni,  by  3.  G.  KOLL,  p.  216. 

"  '  The  happy  home  beyond  the  setting  sun,  had  cheered  the  heart,  and  lighted 
the  expiring  eye  of  the  Indian,  before  the  ships  of  Columbus  had  borne  the  cross 
to  this  western  world." 

League  of  the  Iroquoit,  p.  168. 

Note  7.  Page  34. 

These,  and  other  myths,  will  be  found  in  full  in  Hiawatha  Legends,  by  H. 
B.  SCHOOLCBAFT. 

Note  8.  "  Bright  by  the  Onondatja  shore  Page  40. 

He  lit  the  Ifome-Jire's  sacred  flame." 

"  It  was  a  striking  peculiarity  of  the  ancient  religious  system  of  the  Iroquois  that 
once  a  year,  the -priesthood  supplied  the  people  with  sacred  fire.  For  this  purpose 
a  set  time  was  announced  for  the  ruling  priest's  visit.  The  entire  village  was 
apprised  of  this  visit,  and  the  master  of  each  lodge  was  expected  to  be  prepared 
for  this  annual  rite.  *  *  His  lodge-fire  was  carefully  put  out  and  ashes  scattered 
about  it,  as  a  symbolic  sign  of  desolation  and  want.  Exhibiting  the  insignia  of 
the  sacerdotal  office,  he  (the  priest)  proceeded  to  invoke  the  Master  of  Life  in 
their  behalf,  and  ended  his  mission  by  striking  fire  from  the  flint,  or  from  per- 
cussion, and  lighted  anew  the  domestic  fire." 

Notes  on  the  Iroquois,  H.  K.  SCHOOLCBAFT,  p.  137. 


NOTES.  301 


Note  9.  "  Wrought  into  each  the  magic  spell  Page  41. 

That  fateful  is  for  good  or  ill." 

"  They  believed  that  the  possession  of  certain  articles  about  the  person  would 
render  the  body  invulnerable ;  or  that  their  powers  over  an  enemy  was  thereby 
secured.  A  charmed  weapon  could  not  be  turned  aside." 

SCHOOLCBAFT'S  History,  Condition  and  Prospects,  Vol.  I,  p.  86. 

Note  10.  "  To  charm  and  guard  his  home  and  place,          Page  41. 

Its  barky  sides  he  pictured  fair 

With  to-tems  of  his  name  and  race." 

"  By  to-temic  marks,  the  various  families  of  a  tribe  denote  their  affiliation.  A 
guardian  spirit  has  been  selected  by  the  progenitor  of  a  family  from  some  object 
in  the  zoological  chain.  The  representative  device  of  this  is  called  the  to-tem. 
Indians  are  proud  of  their  to-tems,  and  are  prone  to  surround  them  with  allu- 
sions to  bravery,  strength,  talent,  the  power  of  endurance,  or  other  qualities.  A 
warrior's  to-tem  never  wants  honors,  in  their  remembrance,  and  the  mark  is  put 
upon  his  grave-post,  or  ad-je-du-tiiff,  when  he  is  dead.  In  his  funeral  picto- 
graph  he  invariably  sinks  his  personal  name  in  that  of  his  to-tem  or  family 
name.  There  appears  to  have  been  originally  three  to-tems  that  received  the 
highest  honors  and  respect.  They  were  the  Turtle,  Bear  and  Wolf.  These  were 
the  great  to-tems  of  the  Iroquois." 

Ibid,  Vol.  V.  p.  73. 

Note  11.  "  Ills  shaft  the  frightful  monster  slew."  Page  42. 

"After  a  time  the  people  were  invaded  by  the  monster  of  the  deep :  The  Lake 
Serpent  traverses  the  country,  which  interrupts  their  intercourse.  The  five  fam- 
ilies were  compelled  to  make  fortifications  throughout  their  respective  towns,  hi 
order  to  secure  themselves  from  the  devouring  monsters." 

David  Cusic.    See  SCHOOLCBA.FT,  VoL  V.  p.  637. 

Note  12.  "He  slew  the  frightful  Flying  Head."  Page  43. 

"  The  Holder  of  the  Heavens  was  absent  from  the  country.  *  *  *  The  reason 
produced  the  occasion  that  they  were  Invaded  by  the  monsters  called  Kc-neh- 
ran-neh-neh,  i.  e.,  Flying  Heads,  which  devoured  several  people  of  the  country. 
The  Flying  Heads  made  invasion  in  the  night ;  but  the  people  were  attentive  to 
escape  by  leaving  their  huts  and  concealing  themselves  in  other  huts  prepared 
for  the  occasion."  Ibid,  VoL  V.  p.  637. 

Note  13.  "  The  Stonish  Giants  fierce  and  tall."  Page  43. 

"  The  Stonish  Giants  were  so  ravenous  that  they  devoured  the  people  of  almost 
every  town  in  the  country ;  but  happily  the  Holder  of  the  Heavens  again  visits 
the  people,  and  he  observes  that  the  people  are  in  distressed  condition  on  account 
of  the  enemy.  With  a  stratagem  he  proceeds  to  banish  their  invaders,  and  he 
changes  himself  into  a  Giant,  and  combines  the  Stonish  Giants,  he  introduces 


302  NOTES. 


them  to  take  the  lead  to  destroy  the  people  of  the  country ;  but  a  day's  march 
they  did  not  reach  the  fort  Onondaga,  where  they  intend  to  invade,  and  he 
ordered  them  to  lay  in  a  deep  hollow  during  the  night,  and  they  would  make 
attack  on  the  following  morning. 

"At  the  dawn  of  the  day  the  Holder  of  the  Heavens  ascended  upon  the  heights 
and  he  overwhelmed  them  by  a  mass  of  rocks,  and  only  one  escaped  to  announce 
the  dreadful  fate ;  and  since  of  the  event  the  Stonish  Giants  have  left  the  country 
and  seeks  an  asylum  in  the  regions  of  the  earth."  Ibid,  Vol.  V.  p.  637. 

Note  14.  "  Gave  thanks  to  Oway-neo  great."  Page  47. 

That  the  Indians  observed  the  custom  of  giving  thanks  before  meat,  at  least  on 
certain  occasions,  and  at  their  great  feasts,  is  shown  by  several  writers. 

SCHOOLCRAFT,  Vol.  II,  p.  76,  also  KitcM  Garni,  p.  216. 

Note  15.  "Herself  to  him,  the  favored  brave,  Page     48. 

She  proffered  with  a  modest  grace." 

"  The  warrior  never  solicits  the  maiden  to  dance  with  him ;  that  privilege  was 
accorded  to  her  alone.  In  the  midst  of  the  dance  the  females  present  themselves 
in  pairs  between  any  set  they  may  select,  thus  giving  to  each  a  partner." 

League  of  the  Iroquois,  p.  286. 

Note  16.  "With  teeming  fields  of  growing  corn."  Page  48. 

"  They  cultivated  this  plant,  as  also  the  bean  and  the  squash,  before  the  forma- 
tion of  the  League.  It  cannot  therefore  be  affirmed  with  correctness  that  the 
Indian  subsisted  principally  by  the  chase.  The  quantities  of  corn  raised  by  the 
Iroquois  was  a  constant  cause  of  remark  by  those  who  went  earliest  among 
them."  Ibid,  p.  198. 

Note  17.  "  Ta-ren-ya-iva-qo  !  Mighty  Man!!"  Page  54. 

In  one  form  of  the  legend  this  remarkable  personage  was  called  Ta-ren-ya-wa- 
go,  that  is,  The  Holder  of  the  Heavens.  "  His  wisdom  was  as  great  as  his  power. 
The  people  listened  to  him  with  admiration,  and  followed  his  advice  gladly. 
There  was  nothing  in  which  he  did  not  excel  good  hunters,  bravo  warriors  and 
eloquent  orators."  SCHOOLCRAFT,  Vol.  III.  p.  314. 

Note  18.  "  Still  on  to  many  a  stranger  sea."  Page  55. 

"  We  find  curious  Indian  travelers,  who  came  a  great  distance,  mentioned  in 
the  first  European  reports  about  Indians.  The  Choctas  preserve  the  memory  of 
a  celebrated  traveler  of  their  tribe,  >viio  undertook  a  long  journey  west,  in  order 
to  find  the  sea  in  which  the  sun  disappeared  at  setting. 

"  Similar  traditions  about  great  journeys  and  travelers  are  found  among  other 
tribes."  Kite  hi  Garni,  p.  121. 


XOTES.  303 


Note  19.  "Trim  TTayo-u-ent-ha  they  did  name,  Page  56. 

The  wisest  he,  among  the  wise." 

"  When  au  individual  was  raised  Tip  as  a  sachem,  his  original  name  was  laid 
aside,  and  that  of  the  sachemship  itself  assumed.  In  like  manner,  at  the  raising 
up  of  a  chief,  the  council  of  the  nation  which  performed  the  ceremony,  took 
away  the  former  name  of  the  incipient  chief  and  assigned  him  a  new  one. 

"  Thus  when  the  celebrated  Red  Jacket  was  elevated  by  election  to  the  dignity 
of  a  chief,  his  original  name,  O-te-ti-an-i,  '  always  ready,'  was  taken  from  him, 
and  in  its  place  was  bestowed  Sa-go-ye-wat-ha,  '  keeper  awake,'  in  allusion  to 
the  powers  of  his  eloquence."  League  of  the  Iroquoisj  p.  89. 

Note  20.  "Iff,  Ifayo-went-ha  good  and  great,  Page  58. 

Would  woo  and  wed  a  mortal  bride." 

"After  he  had  given  them  wise  instructions  for  observing  the  laws  and  maxims 
of  the  Great  Spirit,  *  *  *  he  laid  aside  the  high  prerogative  of  his  public  mis- 
sion, and  resolved  to  set  them  an  example  of  how  they  should  live. 

"  For  this  purpose  he  selected  a  beautiful  spot  on  the  southern  shore  of  one  of 
the  lesser  lakes,  which  is  called  Ti-o-to  (Cross  Lake)  by  the  natives  to  this  day. 
Here  he  erected  his  lodge,  planted  his  field  of  corn,  kept  by  him  his  magic  canoe, 
and  selected  a  wife."  H.  E.  SCHOOLCRAFT,  Vol.  III.  p.  314. 

Note  21.  "  In  the  fore-gone  time  of  fasting,  Page  65. 

Whence  I  drew 
Smile  and  blessing  of  the  Mighty 

,  M<lnitO." 

"  The  rite  of  fasting  is  one  of  the  most  deep-seated  and  universal  in  the  Indi- 
an's ritual.  It  is  practiced  among  alj  the  American  tribes,  and  is  deemed  by 
them  essential  to  their  success  in  life  in  every  situation.  No  young  man  is  fittod 
to  begin  the  career  of  life  until  he  has  accomplished  his  great  fast.  Seven  days 
appear  to  have  been  the  maximum  limit  of  endurance,  and  the  success  of  the 
devotee  is  inferred  from  the  length  of  continued  abstinence  to  which  he  is  known 
to  have  attained. 

"These  fasts  are  anticipated  by  youth  as  one  of  the  most  important  events  in 
life;  they  are  awaited  with  interest,  prepared  for  with  solemnity,  and  endured 
with  a  self-devotion  bordering  on  the  heroic." 

Alijii-  Iintturches,  H.  R.  SCHOOLCRAFT,  Vol.  I.  p.  148. 

Note  22.  "Builil  t!/t>  fir,',  inuke  bright  il/e  wirjietun,  Page  66. 

'  As  the  forest  maiden  should." 

In  the  pure  hunter  state,  the  division  of  labor  between  the  man  and  wife  is  not 
so  unequal  as  many  suppose. 

"  Where,  then,  the  whole  duty  and  labor  of  providing  the  means  of  subsist- 
ence, ennobled  by  danger  and  courage,  falls  upon  the  man,  the  woman  naturally 
sinks  in  importance,  and  is  a  dependent  drudge.  But  she  is  not  therefore,  I  sup- 


304  NOTES. 


pose,  so  very  miserable,  nor,  relatively,  so  very  abject ;  she  is  sure  of  protection ; 
sure  of  maintenance,  at  least  while  the  inau  has  it ;  sure  of  kind  treatment ;  sure 
that  she  will  uever  have  her  children  taken  from  her  but  by  death ;  sees  uoue 
better  off  than  herself,  and  it  is  evident  that  in  such  a  state  the  appointed  and 
necessary  share  of  the  woman  is  the  household  work,  and  all  other  domestic 
labors."  Mus.  JAMISON,  in  Winter  Studies  and  Summer  Rambles. 

From  unpublished  notes  by  the  late  Mr.  W.  H.  Clarke,  of  Chicago,  whose 
acquaintance  with  leading  Indians  of  the  West  extended  over  many  years,  I  am 
permitted  to  make  some  extracts.  He  was  well  acquainted  with  Mrs.  School- 
craft,  to  whom  the  world  is  greatly  indebted  for  her  praiseworthy  efforts  to  pre- 
serve the  legendary  lore  of  the  Indians.  Herself  of  Indian  lineage,  and  spending 
the  greater  part  of  a  long  life  among  her  people,  her  statements  cannot  but  be 
taken  as  trustworthy. 

In  answer  to  questions  as  to  the  condition  of  the  Indian  women,  she  said,  "  It 
was  better  than  that  of  the  white  woman,  taking  into  consideration  the  differ- 
ences between  the  races.  That  is  to  say,  although  on  account  of  many  inevitable 
causes,  the  Indian  woman  is  subjected  to  many  hardships  of  a  physical  nature, 
yet  her  position,  compared  to  that  of  man,  is  higher  and  freer  than  that  of  the 
white  woman." 

"OMriC. !"  said  she,  "why  will  they  look  only  upon  one  side?  they  either 
exalt  the  Red  Man  into  a  demi-god,  or  degrade  him  into  a  beast.  They  say  he 
compels  his  wife  to  do  all  the  drudgery,  while  he  does  nothing  but  hunt  and 
amuse  himself ;  forgetting  that  upon  his  activity  and  powers  of  endurance  as  a 
liuuter  depends  the  support  of  his  family." 

Note  23.  "  She  is  of  my  noble  people  Page  66. 

Ongue  Honwe — that  is  well." 

The  term,  ONGUE  HONWE, — a  people  surpassing  all  others — that  the  Iroquois 
proudly  applied  to  themselves,  being  older  than  the  discovery  of  the  continent 
by  Europeans,  did  not  refer  to  them ;  but  denoted  a  people  surpassing  all  other 
red  men.  In  that  sense  it  was  probably  strictly  true. 

Note  24.  "  No  garden  lilies  undefiled,  Page  72. 

No  sweets  their  fragrance  may  possess, 

Surpass  the  roses  of  the  wild— 
The  beauty  of  the  wilderness." 

Had  not  the  writer,  in  his  casual  intercourse  with  the  Indians,  seen  among 
them  maidens  of  surpassing  beauty,  comparing  favorably  with  the  most  lovely 
maidens  of  the  White  Race,  he  would  hardly  have  ventured  to  give  expression  to 
what  will  probably  seem  to  many  as  existing  only  in  the  pictures  of  an  exalted 
imagination. 

Fredrika  Bremer,  in  her  Homes  of  the  New  World,  says  of  an  Indian  maiden 
she  saw  in  Minnesota :  "She  was  so  brilliant  and  of  such  unusual  beauty  that 
she  literally  seemed  to  light  up  the  whole  room  as  she  entered.  Her  shoulders 
were  broad  and  round,  and  her  carriage  drooping,  as  is  usual  with  Indian  women, 


NOTES.  305 


who  are  early  accustomed  to  carry  burdens  on  their  backs ;  but  the  beauty  of  the 
countenance  was  so  extraordinary  that  I  cannot  but  think  that  if  such  a  face  were 
to  be  seen  in  one  of  the  drawing-rooms  of  the  fashionable  world,  it  would  there 
be  regarded  as  the  type  of  a  beauty  hitherto  unknown.  It  was  the  wild  beauty  of 
the  forest,  at  the  same  time  melancholy  and  splendid." 

Mrs.  Jamison  also  speaks  in  high  terms  of  Indian  women  she  met.  Of  Mrs. 
Schoolcraf  t  she  says :  "  Her  genuine  refinement  and  simplicity  of  manners,  and 
native  taste  for  literature,  are  charming.  *  *  *  While  in  conversation  with  her, 
new  ideas  of  the  Indian's  character  suggest  themselves.  *  *  She  is  proud  of  her 
Indian  origin.  *  *  But  there  is  a  melancholy  and  pity  in  her  voice  when  speak- 
ing of  them  [her  people],  as  if  she  did  indeed  consider  them  a  doomed  race." 

Of  another  Indian  woman  she  says :  "  Though  now  no  longer  young,  and  the 
mother  ol  twelve  children,  she  is  one  of  the  handsomest  Indian  women  I  have 
yet  seen.  *  *  Her  daughter,  Zah-gah-see-ga-quay — the  sunbeams  breaking 
through  a  cloud — is  a  very  beautiful  girl,  with  eyes  that  are  a  warrant  for  her 
poetic  name." 


Note  25.  "As  youth  and  maiden  may,  did  seek  Page  74. 

Some  token  of  her  happier  fate." 

"  Even  the  Indian  girls  dream  at  times  that  they  will  become  mighty  runners, 
and  evince  a  pride  in  excelling  in  this  art,  like  the  men.  A  case  occurred  during 
my  stay  at  La  Poiiite.  A  warlike  maiden  suddenly  appeared,  who  boasted  of 
having  taken  a  Sioux  scalp,  and  she  was  led  in  triumph  from  lodge  to  lodge. 

"  I  was  told  that  a  superannuated  female  had  appeared  to  this  girl,  who  was 
now  nineteen,  during  the  period  of  her  great  fasts  and  dreams  of  life,  who 
prophesied  to  her  that  she  would  become  the  greatest  runner  of  her  tribe,  and 
thus  gain  the  mightiest  warrior  for  husband. 

"  I  must  remark  here,  as  indeed  every  reader  will  easily  conjecture,  that  the 
fasting  dreams  of  the  Indian  girls  chiefly  allude  to  the  subject  of  marriage. 
Thrice — so  said  the  prophetic  voice — she  would  join  in  an  expedition  against  the 
Sioux,  and  thrice  save  herself  by  her  speed  of  foot.  In  running  home,  the  war- 
riors of  her  tribe  would  strive  U»  outstrip  her,  but  she  would  in  two  first  cam- 
paigns outstrip  everybody.  *  *  On  the  return  from  the  third  campaign,  how- 
ever, a  young  Ojib-wa  would  race  with  her,  and  conquer  her,  and  she  would  then 
be  married  to  him. 

"  The  girl  had  made  her  first  war  expedition  this  year.  She  had  proceeded 
with  the  warriors  of  her  tribe  into  the  enemy's  camp,  raised  the  scalp  of  a 
wounded  Sioux  on  the  battle-field,  and  had  run  straight  home  for  several  days, 
ihus  bringing  the  first  news  of  the  victory,  which  greatly  augmented  her  renown. 
*  *  She  was  pointed  out  to  every  one  as  the  heroine  of  the  day  and  of  the  island ; 
and  probably  ere  this  some  young  warrior  has  run  a  race  with  her,  in  which  she 
was  only  too  ready  to  be  defeated."  Kitchi  Garni,  p.  125. 


306  NOTES. 


Note  26.  "Love  beckon  from  hei  waiting  place-"  Page  7.K. 

"  The  wife  of  the  hunter  has  the  entire  control  of  the  -wigwam  and  all  its  tem- 
poralities. To  each  person  who  is  a  member  of  the  lodge  family  is  assigned  a 
fixed  seat,  or  habitual  abiding  place,  which  is  called  abbiiios.  *  *  If  the  son  is 
married  and  brings  his  bride  home,  the  mother  assigns  the  bride  her  abbinos. 
This  is  done  by  spreading  one  of  the  finest  skins  for  her  seat,  and  no  one  besides 
her  husband  ever  sits  there.  *  *  Iii  this  manner  the  personal  rights  of  each 
individual  are  guarded.  The  female  is  punctilious  as  to  her  own,  so  that  perfect 
order  is  maintained."  H.  K.  SCHOOLCBAFT,  Vol.  II.  p.  63. 

Note  27.  "Or  plucked  the  Autumn's  ripened  ears,  Page  77. 

,4s  meet  and  Jit  for  Indian  maid." 

"It  is  well  known  that  corn-planting  and  corn-gathei'iug,  at  least  among  all  the 
still  uncolouized  tribes,  are  left  entirely  to  the  women.  It  is  not  generally  known, 
perhaps,  that  this  labor  is  not  compulsory,  and  that  it  is  assumed  by  the  women . 
as  a  just  equivalent,  in  their  view,  for  the  onerous  and  continuous  labor  of  the 
other  sex,  in  providing  meat,  and  skins  for  clothing,  by  the  chase,  and  in  de- 
fending their  villages  against  their  enemies.  *  *  A  good  Indian  housewife  deems 
this  a  part  of  her  prerogative,  and  prides  herself  to  have  a  store  of  corn  to  exer- 
cise her  hospitality,  or  duly  honor  her  husband's  hospitality,  in  the  entertain- 
ment of  the  lodge  guests."  Oneota,  p.  82. 

Note  28.  "To  gather  its  kernels  ripe  and  good.'1  Page  77. 

The  wild  rice  of  the  north  is  the  Zizania  Palnstris,  and  abounds  in  the  shal- 
low waters  of  the  Western  lakes  and  rivers.  It  forms  a  dish  palatable  and  nutri- 
tious ;  and  is  the  principal  vegetable  food  of  the  Indians  where  it  abounds.  It 
is  gathered  by  the  women,  who  shove  their  canoes  among  it,  and,  bending  the 
ripened  heads  over  the  boat,  beat  out  the  grain  with  paddles. 

Note  29.  "  With  patient  trust  her  hunger  bore  Page  79. 

And  all  heroic  sacrifice.'" 

"All  acknowledge  their  lives  to  be  in  the  hands  of  the  Great  Spirit,  feel  a  con- 
viction that  all  things  come  from  him,  that  he  loves  them,  and  that,  although  he 
allows  them  to  suffer,  he  will  again  supply  them.  No  people  are  more  easy  or 
less  clamorous  under  suffering  of  the  deepest  die,  and  none  are  more  happy,  or 
more  prone  to  evince  their  happiness  when  prosperous  in  their  affairs.1' 

H.  K.  SCHOOLCRAFT,  Vol.  II.  p.  73. 

Note  30.  "Or  only  do  we  fail  to  find  Page  80. 

The  measure  meet  for  gifts  diverse?" 

"Genius,  learning  and  Christianity  change  the  features  of  society,  and  cast 
over  it  an  artificial  garment,  but  its  elements  continue  the  same.  It  need  rut 
awaken  surprise  that  the  Indian  has  revealed  many  of  the  highest  virtues  of 


NOTES.  307 


Christianized  man ;  or  that  in  some  of  the  rarest  traits  in  human  character,  he 
has  passed  quite  beyond  him."  League  of  the  Iroquois,  p.  181. 

Mrs.  Schoolcraft  says :  "  I  have  seen  among  them  instances  of  refined  deli- 
cacy of  feeling,  and  traits  of  kindness  of  heart  diffusing  itself  through  the  action 
aud  manners,  which  I  have  in  vain  sought  in  highly  civilized  communities.  I 
have  heard  speeches  which,  had  they  been  made  by  the  sages  of  antiquity,  would 
have  been  handed  down  to  us  with  a  world's  applause ;  and  I  have  asked  myself, 
where  is  the  intrinsic  difference  between  the  soul  of  this  red  man  in  his  blauket, 
and  that  of  him  who  is  surrounded  by  all  the  accidents  of  education,  civilization 
and  manners ;  are  not  those  noble  sentiments — the  f  eeling  of  the  good,  the  great 
and  the  beautiful— intuitive?  "  Unpublished  Xotes. 

Note  31.  "On  her  his  tottering  footsteps  leant."  Page  81. 

As  an  instance  of  filial  affection  manifested  toward  parents,  Mr.  Schoolcraft 
gives  the  story  of  an  aged  chief,  who  resided  at  Michilimaciuac. 

"  He  lived  to  be  very  old,  aud  became  so  feeble  at  last  that  he  could  not  travel 
by  land,  when  spring  came  on  and  his  people  prepared  to  move  their  lodge  from 
the  sugar-camp  in  the  forest,  to  the  open  lake  shore.  *  *  It  was  his  last  winter 
on  earth,  his  heart  was  gladdened  once  more  by  feeling  the  genial  rays  of  spring, 
and  he  desired  to  go  with  them  to  behold,  for  the  last  time,  the  expanded  lake,  and 
inhale  its  pure  breezes.  He  must  needs  be  carried  by  hand.  This  act  of  piety 
was  performed  by  his  daughter,  then  a  young  woman.  She  carried  him  on  her 
back  from  the  camp  to  the  lake  shore,  where  they  erected  their  lodge  and  passed 
their  spring,  and  where  he  eventually  died  and  was  buried." 

Note  32.  "In  royal  mantle  rich  arrayed."  Page  88. 

"  War  shirts,  war  coats,  and  mantles  for  use  on  ceremonial  occasions,  are  often 
made  from  the  skins  of  the  fiercest  and  most  renowned  animals  captured  in  the 
chase.  *  "-They  are  elaborately  wrought  and  profusely  ornamented.  *  At  the  trea- 
ty at  Prairie-du-Chien,  on  the  Upper  Mississippi,  in  1825,  a  great  variety  of  these 
dresses  were  exhibited.  None,  however,  exceeded  in  its  majestic  style,  the  robe 
of  a  Yonkton  chief,  from  the  Minnesota  river,  who  was  called  Wo-ni-ta.  *  *  He 
was  clothed  in  a  war-robe  of  buff-colored  buffalo-skin,  ornamented  with  porcu- 
pine quills,  brilliantly  dyed.  This  garment  reached  to  his  feet." 

H.  K.  SCHOOLCKAFT,  Vol.  III.  p.  67. 

Note  33.  "  What  wonder  he,  though  calm  and  wise,  Page  90. 

Should  feel  the  round  world  dance  and  swim, 

\V!«'ii  on  In  HI,  bent  those  love-full  eyes 
That  more  than  greeting  welcomed  him  .' " 

It  has  been  asserted  by  some  writers  that  love  among  the  North  American  In- 
dians had  no  higher  expression,  between  the  sexes,  than  that  of  animal  passion. 
While  it  may  be  said,  with  truth,  perhaps,  that  this  was  its  more  usual  manifesta- 
tion, their  legends  very  clearly  disprove  the  assumption  that  the  Indian  was  never 

40 


308  NOTES. 


influenced  by  the  tender  passion.  He  could  never  have  embodied  in  his  mytho- 
logical stories  a  sentiment  to  which  his  mind  and  heart  could  not  respond,  and 
that  had  no  existence  in  his  experiences  of  life. 

So  many  of  the  Indian  legonds  are  founded  upon  the  idea  of  love,  as  a  tender 
and  lasting  sentiment,  existing  between  the  young  hunter  and  the  young  maiden, 
that  it  is  a  little  remarkable  these  writers  did  not  observe  the  fact.  See  The  Red 
Lover,  The  White  Stone  Canoe,  Osseo,  and  many  more. 

Nor  is  this  view  wanting  in  confirmation  from  well-authenticated  incidents, 
among  the  dwellers  in  the  wig-warn.  Mrs.  Jamison  says:  "  Some  time  ago  a 
young  Chippewa  girl  conceived  a  violent  passion  for  a  hunter  of  a  different  tribe, 
and  followed  him  from  his  winter  hunting-grounds  to  his  own  village.  He  was 
already  married,  and  the  wife,  not  being  inclined  to  admit  a  rival,  drove  this 
love-sick  damsel  away,  and  treated  her  with  the  utmost  indignity.  The  girl,  in 
desperation,  offered  herself  as  a  slave  to  the  wife,  to  carry  wood  and  water,  and 
lie  at  her  feet, — anything  to  be  admitted  within  the  same  lodge  and  only  to  look 
upon  the  object  of  her  affections." 

Note  34.  "Listened— as  only  woman  may,  Page  94. 

Upon  his  deeper  thought  intent.'" 

"  While  at  the  meal,  which  is  prolonged  by  cheerful  conversation,  anecdotes, 
and  little  narratives  of  personal  adventure,  the  women  are  among  the  listeners ; 
and  no  one,  except  the  aged,  ever  obtrudes  a  word.  The  young  women  and  girls 
show  that  they  partake  of  the  festivities  by  smiles,  and  are  scrupulous  to  evince 
their  attention  to  the  elder  part  of  the  company." 

H.  R.  SCHOOLCRAFT,  Vol.  II.  p.  75. 

Note  35.  "Nor  her  alone  keep  in.  thy  love,—  Page  110. 

Keep  him  that  wails  so  far  away." 

"  That  the  Indian,  without  the  aid  of  revelation,  should  have  arrived  at  a  fixed 
belief  in  the  existence  of  one  Supreme  Being,  has  ever  been  a  matter  of  surprise 
and  admiration.  *  *  They  looked  up  to  him  as  the  author  of  their  being,  the 
source  of  their  temporal  blessings,  and  the  future  dispenser  of  the  felicities  of 
their  heavenly  home.  To  him  they  rendered  constant  thanks  and  homage  for 
the  changes  of  the  seasons,  the  fruits  of  the  earth,  the  preservation  of  then-  lives, 
*  *  and  to  him  they  addressed  their  prayers  for  the  continuance  of  his  protect- 
ing care."  League  of  the  Iroquois,  p.  155. 

"  Great  Spirit,  Master  of  our  lives ;  Great  Spirit,  Master  of  all  Things  both 
visible  and  invisible ;  Great  Spirit,  Master  cf  other  Spirits,  whether  Good  or 
Evil ;  command  the  Good  Spirits  to  favor  thy  children.  *  *  Command  the  Evil 
Spirit  to  keep  at  a  distance  from  them. 

"  O  Great  Spirit,  keep  up  the  Strength  and  Courage  of  our  Warriors,  that  they 
may  be  able  to  stem  the  Fury  of  our  Enemies.  *  *  O  Great  Spirit,  Great  Spirit, 
hear  the  voice  of  the  Nation,  give  Ear  to  all  thy  Children,  and  remember  them  at 
all  times."  Lahontan'ti  Voyages,  p.  35. 


NOTES.  309 


Note  36.  "  \Vifh  pipe  and  meat  and  courtesy  Page  111. 

Gave  welcome  to  his  noble  guest." 

"  One  of  the  most  attractive  features  of  Indian  society  was  the  spirit  of  hospi- 
tality by  which  it  was  pervaded.  Perhaps  no  people  ever  carried  this  principle  to 
the  same  degree  of  universality,  as  did  the  Iroquois.  Their  houses  were  not 
only  open  to  each  other  at  all  hours  of  the  day,  and  of  the  night,  but  also  to  the 
wayfarer  and  the  stranger.  *  *  He  would  surrender  his  dinner  to  feed  the  hun- 
gry, vacate  his  bed  to  refresh  the  weary,  and  give  up  his  apparel  to  clothe  the 
naked.  *  *  With  an  innate  knowledge  of  the  freedom  and  dignity  of  man,  he 
has  exhibited  the  noblest  virtues  of  the  heart,  and  the  kindest  deeds  of  human- 
ity, in  those  sylvan  retreats,  which  we  are  wont  to  look  back  upon  as  vacant  and 
frightful  solitudes."  League  of  the  Iroquois,  p.  327. 

Not*  37.  "Put  by  his  pipe,  looked  on  the  maid,  Page  113. 

And  lonely  musing,  silent  sal." 

"  There  is  one  custom  their  men  constantly  observe ;  that  if  they  be  sent  with 
any  message,  though  it  demand  the  greatest  despatch,  or  though  they  bring 
intelligence  of  any  imminent  danger,  they  never  tell  it  at  their  first  approach, 
but  sit  down  for  a  minute  or  two,  at  least,  in  silence,  to  recollect  themselves  be- 
fore they  speak,  that  they  may  not  show  any  degree  of  fear  or  surprise,  by  any 
indecent  expression."  Lahonlan's  Voyages,  p.  194. 


Note  38.  "For  Hayo-went-ha,  he  would  bear  Page  113. 

The  burden  of  the  ripened  ears." 

"  The  man,  to  signify  his  wishes,  kills  a  bear  with  his  own  hands,  and  sends  a 
pail  full  of  the  oil  to  his  mistress.  If  she  receives  the  oil,  he  next  attends  and 
helps  her  hoe  the  corn  in  her  field ;  afterward  plants  her  beans ;  and  when  they 
come  up  he  sets  poles  for  them  to  run  upon.  In  the  meantime  he  attends  her 
corn,  until  the  beans  have  run  up  and  entwined  themselves  about  the  poles. 
This  is  thought  emblematical  of  their  approaching  union  and  bondage ;  and  they 
then  take  each  other  for  better  or  for  worse.'1 

H.  E.  SCHOOLCKAFT,  Vol.  V.  p.  269. 


Note  39.  "His  snowy  leggins  softly  drew."  Page  121. 

"  The  corpse  is  dressed  in  its  best  clothes.  It  is  wrapped  in  a  new  blanket,  and 
new  moccasins  are  put  on.  The  crowu-baud,  head-dress  or  frontlet,  and  feathers, 
are  also  put  on.  His  war-club  and  pipe  are  placed  beside  him,  together  with  a 
small  quantity  of  veruiilliou.  *  *  If  a  woman,  that  is  about  to  be  interred,  she 
is  provided  with  a  paddle,  a  kettle,  an  apekan,  or  carrying  strap  for  the  head, 
and  other  feminine  implements."  Ibid,  Vol.  II.  p.  68. 


310  NOTES. 


Note  40.  "Of  Kne-ha— Father,  fare-thee-well."  Page  121. 

"  The  corpse  is  laid  in  public,  where  all  can  gather  around  it,  when  an  address 
is  made,  partly  to  the  spectators,  describing  the  character  of  the  deceased,  and 
partly  to  the  deceased  himself,  speaking  to  him  as  though  the  Och^ich-ag  or  soul 
was  still  present,  and  giving  directions  as  to  the  path  he  is  supposed  to  be  about 
to  tread  in  a  future  state."  Ibid- 

"  My  son,  listen  once  more  to  the  words  of  thy  mother.  Thou  wert  brought 
into  life  with  her  pains.  Thou  wert  nourished  with  her  life.  She  has  attempted 
to  be  faithful  in  raising  thee  up.  When  thou  wert  young  she  loved  thee  as  her 
life.  *  *  Thy  friends  and  relations  have  gathered  about  thy  body  to  look  upon 
thee  for  the  last  time.  *  *  We  part  now,  and  you  are  conveyed  from  my  sight 
But  we  shall  soon  meet  again.  *  *  Then  we  shall  part  no  more.  Our  Maker 
has  called  you  to  his  home.  Thither  we  follow.  Na-ho!" — Speech  of  a  Mother 
over  her  dead  son.  League  of  the  Iroquois,  p.  175. 

Note  41.  "Endurance  in  the  mother-breast  Page  122. 

Wrought  courage  in  the  newly  born." 

While  it  is  true  that  it  was  held  a  weakness  for  a  mother  to  give  way  to  an/ 
signs  of  pain  during  the  trying  ordeal  of  child-birth,  it  must  also  be  remembered 
that  women  in  the  savage  state  are  comparatively  free  from  the  danger  and  suf- 
fering incident  to  civilized  life. 

"  Parturition,  with  the  Indian  female,  is  seldom  attended  with  severe  or  long- 
continued  suffering.  *  *  A  wife  has  been  known  to  sally  into  the  adjoining 
forest  in  quest  of  dry  limbs  for  fire-wood,  and  to  return  to  the  wigwam  with  her 
new-born  child,  placed  carefully  on  the  back-load.  *  *  Their  exemption  from 
the  iisual  sufferings  of  child-birth  may  be  said  to  be  the  general  condition  of  the 
hunter  state,  and  one  of  the  few  advantages  of  it  which  the  woman  enjoys  over 
her  civilized  sister."  H.  K.  SCHOOLCHAFT,  Vol.  II.  p.  65. 


Note  42.         "  What  is  there  more  than  home  and  love?"  Page  123. 

"  I  have  witnessed  scenes  of  conjugal  and  parental  love  in  the  Indian's  wigwam 
from  which  I  have  often,  often,  thought  the  educated  white  man,  proud  of  his 
superior  civilization,  might  learn  a  useful  lesson.  When  he  returns  from  hunt- 
ing, worn  out  with  fatigue,  having  tasted  nothing  since  dawn,  his  wife,  if  she  be 
a  good  wife,  will  take  off  his  moccasins  and  replace  them  with  dry  ones,  and  will 
prepare  his  game  for  their  repast ;  while  his  children  will  climb  upon  him,  and 
he  will  caress  them  with  all  the  tenderness  of  a  woman. 

"And  in  the  evening  the  Indian's  wigwam  is  the  scene  of  the  purest  domestic 
pleasures.  The  father  will  relate  for  the  amusement  of  the  wife,  and  for  the  in- 
struction of  his  children,  the  events  of  the  day's  hunt,  while  they  will  treasure  up 
every  word  that  falls,  and  which  furnishes  them  with  the  theory  of  the  art,  tho 
practice  of  which  is  to  become  the  occupation  of  their  lives." 

MKS.  SCHOOLCRAFT,    From  Unpublished  Notes. 


NOTES.  311 


Note  43.  "Lit  ivith  the  mighty  Council-flame."  Page  138. 

"  The  government  of  this  unique  republic  resided  wholly  in  councils.  By  coun- 
cils all  questions  were  settled,  all  regulations  established, — social,  religious,  mili- 
tary and  political.  The  war-path,  the  chase,  the  Council-fire ; — in  these  was  the 
life  of  the  Iroquois ;  and  it  is  hard  to  say  to  which  of  the  three  he  was  most  de- 
voted." PAEKMAN'S  Jesuits  in  America. 

Note  44.  "  Fifth  shall  in  the  Council  be."  Page  160. 

The  order  of  precedence  here  adopted  is  that  given  by  Lewis  H.  Morgan  in  his 
League  of  the  Iroquois.  This  author,  possessing,  as  he  did,  peculiar  facilities 
for  obtaining  a  correct  knowledge  of  Iroquois  history  and  traditions,  is  probably 
correct,  though  differing  with  both  Clark  and  Schoolcraft. 

Note  45.  "You — as  from  your  homes  of  old —  Page  161. 

From  this  fairer  land  expel." 

Tradition  informs  us  that  prior  to  their  occupation  of  central  New  York  the 
Iroquois  were  located  upon  the  St.  Lawrence,  in  Canada,  and  that  they  lived  in 
subjection  to  the  Adiroiidacks. 

"  After  they  had  multiplied  in  numbers  and  improved  by  experience,  they  made 
an  attempt  to  secure  the  independent  possession  of  the  country  they  occupied ; 
but  having  been,  in  the  struggle,  overpowered  and  vanquished  by  the  Adiron- 
dacks,  they  were  compelled  to  retire  from  the  country  to  escape  extermination." 

League  of  the  Iroquois,  p.  5. 

Note  46.  "To  the  wigwam's  mat  and  shade  Page  160. 

How  can  he  again  return 
Taking  not  the  little  maid." 

"  If  just  and  truthful  pictures  of  Indian  life  were  drawn,  in  connection  with 
the  civilized  population  of  America,  it  could  not  fail  to  excite  a  deep  interest  in 
his  fate.  What  is  wanted  is  to  show  that  the  Indian  has  a  heart.  That  in  a  state 
of  repose  from  wars,  his  bosom  beats  with  affection  and  hope,  and  fear,  precise- 
ly like  other  varieties  of  the  human  race.  That  he  is  adhesive  and  reliable  in 
his  friendships.  That  he  is  true  to  his  promises— simple  in  his  reliances  and  be- 
liefs. That  he  is  affectionate  to  his  kindred  while  they  live,  and  mourns  their 
loss  in  death  with  an  undying  sorrow." 

H.  R.  SCHOOLCRAFT,  Vol.  5,  p.  410. 

Note  47.  "  See,  his  cloudy  garments  all  Page  174. 

Has  he  taken  from  the  sun." 

"  He  has  taken  his  garment  from  before  the  sun  and  caused  it  to  shine  with 
brightness  upon  iis." 

See  RED  JACKET'S  famous  speech  to  a  missionary;  Drake's  Biography  and 
History,  p.  98. 


312  NOTES. 


Note  48.  "  The  snowy  parchment  dressed  and  wrong  /if.     Page  177. 

From  great  Skan-o-do's  hairy  hide." 

"  The  practice  of  the  North  American  tribes,  of  drawing  figures  and  pictures 
on  skins,  trees  and  various  other  substances,  has  been  noticed  by  travelers  and 
writers  from  the  earliest  times.  *  *  These  figures  represent  ideas—  whole  ideas, 
—  and  their  relation  on  a  scroll,  or  bark,  or  tree,  or  rock,  discloses  a  continuity  of 
ideas.  *  *  Picture-writing  is,  indeed,  the  literature  of  the  Indian.  It  cannot 
be  interpreted,  however  rudely,  without  letting  one  know  what  the  red  mi  i 
thinks  and  believes."  H.  K.  SCHOOLCRAFT,  Vol.  I.  p.  333. 

"  They  love  to  speak  in  a  symbolical  manner,  all  their  symbols  being  drawn 
from  the  realm  of  nature.  *  *  I  once  saw  a  Buffalo  hide  covered  with  figures  iu 
the  style  of  children's  drawings,  which  represented  battles,  treaties  of  peace, 
and  other  such  events  ;  the  sun  and  the  moou,  trees  and  mountains,  and  rivers, 
fish  and  birds,  and  all  kinds  of  animals,  having  their  part  iu  the  delineations." 

Homes  of  the  New  World,  p.  47. 


Note  49.  "  In.  cares  of  State,  .as  woman  should  Page  179. 

Should  woman  have  her  part  and  place." 

"  The  history  of  the  world  shows  that  it  is  one  of  the  tendencies  of  bravery  to 
cause  woman  to  be  respected,  and  to  assume  her  proper  rank  and  influence  in  so- 
ciety. This  was  strikingly  manifest  in  the  history  of  the  Iroquois.  They  are 
the  only  tribes  in  America,  north  or  south,  so  far  as  we  have  any  accounts,  who 
gave  to  women  a  conservative  power  in  their  deliberations.  The  Iroquois  ma- 
trons had  their  representatives  in  the  public  councils  ;  and  they  exercised  a  nega- 
tive, or  what  we  call  a  veto  power,  in  the  important  question  of  the  declaration 
of  war.  They  had  the  right  also  to  interfere  in  bringing  about  a  peace." 

H.  E.  SCHOOLCRAFT,  Vol.  III.  p.  195. 

Tradition  says  that  at  the  great  Council,  which  resulted  in  the  formation  of  the 
League,  the  women  attended,  and  it  preserves  the  name  of  Ja-go-sa-sa  —  The 
Wild  Cat  —  as  a  woman  of  unusual  power  that  took  part  in  its  deliberations  ;  and 
to  whose  insight  and  judgment,  as  we  may  infer,  is  due  the  liberal  provisions  of 
this  forest-government  in  favor  of  tho  equal  rights  of  the  sexes. 

Note  50.  "In  her  all  titled  lineage,—  Page  I7£. 

Through  her  the  sachem's  kingly  line." 

"  Not  the  least  remarkable  among  their  institutions,  was  that  which  coufineo 
the  transmission  of  the  titles,  rights  and  property  in  the  female  line  to  the  ex- 
clusion of  the  male.  *  *  If  the  Deer  tribe  of  the  Cayugas,  for  example,  received 
a  sachemship  at  the  original  distribution  of  these  offices,  the  descent  of  such 
title  being  limited  to  the  female  line,  it  could  never  pass  out  of  the  tribr.  *  ; 
By  the  operation  of  this  principle,  also,  the  certainty  of  descent  in  the  tribe  c. 
their  principal  chiefs,  was  secured  ly  a  rule  infallible;  for  the  child  must  be  the 
son  of  its  mother,  although  not  necessarily  of  the  mother's  husband." 

League  of  the  Iroqtioitt,  p.  84. 


XOTES.  313 


Note  51.  "  The  covenant  and  record  holds,—  Page  181. 

Deed  of  that  noble  Brotherhood." 

Among  the  most  sacred  heir-looms  and  treasures  still  in  possession  ef  the  sa- 
chems of  the  Iroquois,  are  those  wampum-belts,  into  which  the  terms  and  con- 
ditions of  the  League  were  "  talked  "  at  the  time  of  its  formation. 

Although  handed  down  from  sachem  to  sachem,  from  generation  to  genera- 
tion, their  mnemonic  pages  are  still  pregnant  with  meaning — still  hold  in  their 
mystic  symbols  the  story  of  the  formation  of  this  remarkable  League ;  and  are 
the  only  repositories  remaining  of  the  laws  and  principles  upon  which  it  was 
founded. 

That  these  belts  are  wrought  upon  some  uniform  system  of  recording  ideas  is 
evident  from  the  fact  that,  while  in  the  possession  of  widely  separated  tribes, 
although  differing  as  to  certain  details,  their  interpretations  are  all  alike  as  to  the 
fundamental  facts  and  principles  of  the  alliance. 

Note  52.  "Into  the  wisest  sachem'e  hand  Page  182. 

He  gave  the  mighty  instrument" 

"As  the  laws  and  usages  of  the  Confederacy  were  intrusted  to  the  guardian- 
ship of  such  strings,  one  of  the  Unondaga  sachems,  Ilo-no-we-na-to,  was  consti- 
tuted "Keeper  of  the  Wampum,"  and  was  required  to  be  versed  in  its  interpre- 
tation." League  of  the  Iroquois,  p.  121. 

Note  53.  ";r«s  wide  outspread  the  mighty  feast  Page  187. 

To  feed  a  thousand  hungry  DI<  //." 

"  Some  of  their  feasts  were  on  a  scale  of  extravagant  profusion.  A  vain,  am- 
bitious host  threw  all  his  substance  into  one  entertainment,  inviting  a  whole 
village,  and  perhaps  several  neighboring  villages  also.  In  the  winter  of  1635, 
there  was  a  feast  at  the  village  of  Contareea,  where  thirty  kettles  were  on  the 
fire,  and  twenty  deer  and  four  bears  were  served  up." 

PARKMAN'S  Jesuits  in  America. 


Note  54.  "Of  nil  Ihf,  par/3  they  chose  the  best  Page  188. 

And  unto  Hayo-went-ha  bore." 

When  a  great  feast  is  given,  all  the  adult  members  of  a  village  are  invited  with- 
out distinction. 

"  When  the  time  arrives,  each  one,  according  to  ancient  custom,  takes  his  dish 
and  spoon,  and  proceeds  to  the  entertainer's  lodge.  The  victuals  are  served  up 
with  scrupulous  attention  that  each  receives  a  portion  of  the  best  parts,  accord- 
ing to  his  standing  and  rank  in  the  village." 

H.  R.  SCHOOLCRAFT,  Vol.  II.  p.  75. 


3M  NOTES. 


Note  55.  "Then  forth  the  watting  pipe  was  brought."         Page  189. 

"  Wherever  the  Indian  goes,  in  peace  and  war,  and  whatever  he  does,  his  pipe 
is  his  constant  companion.  He  draws  consolation  from  it  in  hunger,  want  and 
misfortune."  And  when  he  is  prosperous  and  happy,  "  it  is  the  pipe  to  which 
he  appeals,  as  if  every  puff  of  the  weed  were  an  oblation  to  the  Great  Spirit." 

Ibid,  Vol.  II.  p.  69. 

Note  56.  "Still  piling  high  the  stake  and  bet  Page  139. 

Of  blankets,  weapons,  trinkets— all." 

"  Of  all  the  Indian's  social  sports  the  finest  and  grandest  is  the  ball  play.  I 
might  call  it  a  noble  game,  and  I  am  surprised  how  these  savages  attain  such 
perfection  in  it.  Nowhere  in  the  world,  excepting,  perhaps,  among  the  English 
and  some  of  the  Italian  races,  is  the  graceful  E.nd  manly  game  of  ball  played  so 
passionately,  and  on  so  large  a  scale.  They  often  play  village  against  village,  or 
tribe  against  tribe.  Hundreds  of  players  assemble,  and  the  wares  and  goods 
offered  as  prizes  often  reach  a  value  of  a  thousand  dollars,  or  more." 

Kitchi  Garni,  p.  88. 

Note  57.  "Flee  in  trembling  terror,  -wlxn  Page  201. 

On  the  war-path  bold  they  see 
Aquan-uschi-oni  men." 

Colden  says.  "  I  have  been  told  by  old  men  in  New  England,  who  remembered 
the  time  when  the  Mohawks  made  war  on  their  Indians,  that  as  soon  as  a  single 
Mohawk  was  discovered  in  their  country,  their  Indians  raised  a  cry  from  hill  to 
hill,  'A  Mohawk !  a  Mohawk ! '  upon  which  they  fled  like  sheep  before  wolves, 
without  attempting  to  make  the  least  resistance." 

Note  58.  "From  example  wise  and  good  Page  203. 

Shall  they  to  all  greatness  grow, — 

To  a  Mighty  Brotherhood ; 
And  all  men,  be  bettered  so." 

"  It  is  a  memorable  fact  that  the  Iroquois  were  so  strongly  impressed  with  the 
•wisdom  of  their  system  of  confederation,  that  they  publicly  recommended  a 
similar  Union  to  the  British  Colonies.  In  the  important  conferences  at  Lancas- 
ter, in  1774,  Cannas-sa-te-go.  a  respected  sachem,  expressed  this  view  to  the 
commissioners  of  Pennsylvania,  Virginia,  and  Maryland :  '  Our  wise  forefathers 
established  union  and  amity  between  the  Five  Nations.  This  has  given  us  great 
weight  and  authority  with  our  neighboring  nations.  We  are  a  powerful  confed- 
eracy, and  by  observing  the  same  methods  our  wise  forefathers  have  taken,  you 
will  acquire  fresh  strength  and  pow^r.  Therefore  I  counsel  you,  whatever  befalls 
you,  never  to  fall  out  with  one  another.' 

"  No  sago  of  the  bright  days  of  Qreeco  could  have  more  truly  apprehended  the 
secret  pf  .their  own  power  and  success." 

II.  R.  SCHOOLCRAFT,  Vol.  III.  p.  183. 


NOTES.  315 


Note  59.  "ITis  dishes  all  were  carved  and  wrought.  Page  230. 

Out,  of  the  skulls  of  warriors  dead,— 
The  trophies  from  the  battle  brought." 

"  Most  distinguished,  however,  above  all  others,  east  or  west,  was  a  leader  of 
great  courage  and  wisdom  arid  address,  called  Ot-o-tar-ho ;  aud  when  they  pro- 
posed to  form  a  league,  this  person,  who  had  inspired  dread,  and  kept  himself 
retired,  was  anxiously  sought.  He  was  found  sitting  in  a  swamp,  smoking  his 
pipe,  and  rendered  completely  invulnerable  by  living  snakes.  *  *  His  dishes 
•were  made  of  the  skulls  of  enemies,  whom  he  had  slain  iu  battle. 

"  Ilim,  when  they  had  duly  approached  with  presents,  aud  burned  tobacco  iu 
friendship,  in  their  pipes,  by  way  of  frankincense,  they  placed  at  the  head  of 
their  league,  as  its  presiding  officer.  *  *  And  his  name,  like  that  of  King  Arthur 
of  the  Round  Table,  or  those  of  the  Paladins  of  Charlemagne,  was  used  after  his 
(loath  as  an  exemplar  of  glory  and  honor;  while,  like  that  of  Caesar,  it  became 
perpetuated  as  the  official  title  of  the  presiding  officer.  *  *  It  is  said  that  the 
thirteenth  Ot-o-tar-ho  reigned  at  Oiiondaga  when  America  was  discovered." 

Xotts  on  the  Iroqaois. 

Note  60.  "AJiery  soul  that  most  could  sway  Page  231. 

All  2)assions  with  the  might  of  speech.' 

"  For  readiness  to  perceive  the  jiosition  of  the  Red  Race  as  civilization  gathered 
around  them,  curtailing  their  hunting-grounds,  and  hemming  up  their  path  in 
various  ways ;  for  quickness  of  apprehension,  and  breadth  of  forecast,  and  appo- 
siteuess  and  sharpness  of  reply,  no  one  of  the  leading  groups  of  tribes  in  North 
America  has  equaled  the  Seneca  Orator,  Red  Jacket,  or  Sa-go-ye-wat-ha." 

H.  R.  SCHOOLCRAFT,  Vol.  III.  p.  198. 

Noted.  "Who  weakly  owned  no  brother's  God,  Page  231. 

Xor  less  adjudged  for  wisdom  thence." 

"  He  had  no  doubt  that  Christianity  was  good  for  white  people,  but  the  red  men 
were  a  different  race  aud  required  a  different  religion.  He  believed  that  Jesus 
Christ  was  a  good  man,  and  that  the  whites  should  all  be  sent  to  hell  for  killing 
him;  but  the  red  men,  having  no  hand  iu  his  death,  were  clear  of  that  crime. 
The  Saviour  was  not  sent  to  them,  the  atonement  not  made  for  them,  nor  the 
Bible  given  to  them. 

"  If  the  Great  Spirit  had  intended  they  should  be  Christians,  he  would  have 
made  his  revelations  to  them  as  well  as  the  whites ;  aud  not  having  made  it,  it 
was  clearly  his  will  that  they  should  continue  in  the  faith  of  their  fathers." 

CAMPBELL'S  Indian  Tribes  of  North  America. 

Note  62.  "On  battle-field,  in  Council-halt,  Page  232. 

Alike  created  to  command." 

"  The  Oueida  sachem,  Sken-an-do,  electrified  the  moral  community  when  a 
hundred  years  had  cast  their  frosts  around  his  noble  and  majestic  brow,  by  views 
of  the  tenure  aud  destinies  of  life,  which  were  worthy  of  the  lips  of  Job." 

H.  R.  SCHOOLCRAFT,  Vol.  III.  p.  198. 
41 


316  NOTES. 


Note  63.  "Grandfather  wise,  Page  276. 

Do  stretch  yourself— Ne-me-sho  brave.'" 

All  objects  in  the  material  world  being  endowed,  in  the  Indian's  mind,  with  a 
living  and  intelligent  spirit,  birds,  reptiles  and  beasts,  and  even  inanimate  ob- 
jects are  often  addressed  as  brother  or  grandfather.  The  trees  of  the  forest,  the 
stones  that  lie  along  his  pathway,  have  ears  open  to  his  prayers,  and  whose 
power  he  invokes  in  the  hour  of  peril. 

Note  64.  "Our  hearts  are  good,  but  do  not  seek  Page  292. 

for  more  to  get  our  little  land." 

"  Our  country  was  given  to  us  by  the  Great  Spirit,  who  gave  it  to  us  to  hunt 
upon,  to  make  our  cornfields  upon,  to  live  upon,  and  to  make  down  our  beds 
upon  when  we  die.  And  he  would  never  forgive  us  should  we  bargain  it  away." 
—Speech  of  Me-tey-a  at  Chicago  in  1821.  FORD'S  History  and  Biogi-aphy. 

"  My  reason  teaches  me  that  land  cannot  be  sold.  The  Great  Spirit  gave  it  to 
his  children  to  live  upon,  and  to  cultivate  so  far  as  is  necessary  for  their  sub- 
sistence; and  so  long  as  they  occupy  and  cultivate  it,  they  have  the  right  to  the 
soil ;  but  if  they  voluntarily  leave  it,  then  any  other  people  have  a  right  to  settle 
upon  it.  Nothing  can  be  sold  but  such  things  as  can  be  carried  a\\  a\ .'' 

BLACK  HAWK. 


317 


VOCABULARY. 


A-MEEK', 

A-QUAX-US-CIII-O  '  NI, 

ARO-SE'-A, 
BE-ZHU  , 
CHEE'-MAUN, 
CHEBI-A'  BOS, 
DA-IIIN'-DA, 

DO-DI-AII  '  -TO, 

DUN-KA-DOO ' , 

E-GIIE-A' 

E-WA-YEA', 
ES-CON-AW'-BAW, 

GITCH'E  GC'MEE, 
GUSH-KE ' -WAU, 

I-A '  -GO, 

JlK-ON'-SIS,- 

JIT  '  -SHO, 
KABI-BOX-OK  '  -KA, 

KAH  '  -KAH, 

KAH-SAH  '  -OIT, 
KEY-OSIIK', 

KAX'-AA, 
KE-NEU  ' , 
KE-AVAU-XEE', 

KEE-WAY  '  -DIN, 

KE-KAH-DAH  '  -NONG, 

KI-HA'-DEE, 
KO'-KO-KO'-HO, 

KNE'-HAH, 


The  beaver. 

United  People. 

The  squirrel. 

The  panther. 

A  canoe. 

The  Ruler  in  t  e  Land  of  Souls. 

The  bull-frog. 

The  trout. 

The  bittern. 

Yes. 

Lullaby. 

The  Mississippi. 

Luke  Superior. 

The  darkness. 

A  great  story-teller. 

The  pike. 

The  fox. 

The  North  Wind. 

The  crow. 

Winter. 

The  sea-gull 

Maid. 

The  War-eagle. 

The  prairie-hen. 

The  Home-wind. 

The  lizard. 

A  river. 

The  owl. 

My  father. 


318 


VOCABULARY. 


KU-HA'-GO, 

KUN-TA-SOO ' , 

KWAN-O-SHAISH '  -TA, 
KWAN-RUN-GE-A '  -GOSH, 
KWA-RA-RE ' , 

LEAP-MOON, 

MA'-MA, 

MAHNG, 

ME '-DA, 

ME-SHA-WAY', 

MUD  JE-KE'-WIS, 

MINNE-WA'-WA, 

MO'-SA, 

NE-BA-NAW  '  -BAIGS, 

NE'-GIG, 

NE-NE-MOOSH  '  -A, 

O-'AH, 

OGH-WE-SE', 

OGH-NE'-TA, 

O-JIS-HON  '  -DA, 

O '  -KAH, 
O-KWA-HO', 

O-ME'-ME, 

ON'-GUE  HON'-WE, 

O-NOK'-SA, 

O '  -NTJST, 

O-WAH-AI'-GUT, 

PAU-PDK-KEE  '  -wis, 
PUCK-WUDJ'-IES, 
SAH  '  -WAH, 
SAW-SAW-QUAN', 
SCHO-TA-SA'-MIN, 


The  forest. 

The  Game  of  Plum-stones. 

Great  snake. 

Great  sturgeon. 

The  wood-pecker. 

May. 

The  red-headed  wood-pecker. 

The  loon. 

Medicine  Man,  or  Priest. 

The  elk. 

The  West  Wind. 

A  pleasant  sound,  as  of  the  wind. 

The  moose. 

Water  Spirits. 

The  otter. 

Sweetheart. 

The  wind. 

The  pheasant. 

The  pine  tree. 

The  stars. 

The  snow. 

The  wolf. 

The  pigeon. 

Men  surpassing  all  others. 

The  bass. 

The  Indian  corn,  Maize. 

Death. 

A  trickster. 

The  little  men ;  Fairies. 

The  perch. 

The  death-whoop 

The  bean. 


VOCABULARY 


319 


SE-BOW-ISH'-A, 
SEG-WUX  , 
SHAW '-SHAW, 

SnOW-OX-DA '  -SEE, 

SOAX-GE-TA'-IIA, 
SIIIN'-GE-BIS, 

SKAX-O'-DO, 

So '  -RA, 

SO-HA-UT', 

So-HA-Hl', 

TA  '  -wis, 

Tl-O'-TO, 
TO'-TEM, 

UXK-TA-HE  ' , 

Uxo '  -WUL, 
WA  '  -BUX  AN '  UNG, 
WA-BE-WA'-WA, 
WA-WOX-AIS  '  -SA, 

Wl-WA, 

WAilP'-UM, 

WAU'-BOS, 
WAU-BE-ZEE', 

"\Vo-XE '  -DA, 
WA-ZHA-WAND', 
YEK'-WAI, 

Y(  >   XOXD, 

Yo-xox '  -TO, 

YO-YO-HOX'-TO, 
YOXG'-WE, 

*  The  outer  column 


A  rivulet. 
The  Spring. 
The  swallow. 
The  South  Wind. 
The  strong-hearted. 
The  diver,  or  grebe. 
The  deer 
The  duck. 
The  turkey. 

The  outlet  of  the  Ouondaga  Lake. 
The  snipe. 
Cross  Lake. 

The  Indian's  Heraldic  emblems. 
The  God -of  water. 
The  turtle. 
The  Morning  Star. 
The  white  goose. 
The  whippoorwill. 
The  wild  goose. 

Strings  of  beads,    also  woven  into 
The  hare.        [belts.      See  Note  38 
The  swan. 
The  Moon. 

The  Maker  of  the  World. 
The  bear. 
A  mountain. 
A  hill. 
A  stream. 
Woman, 
mostly  Algonquin,  the  inner  Iroquois. 


ART    LIFE 

AND 

OTHER    POEMS, 

BY  BENJAMIX  HATHAWAY. 


Second  Thousand  Revised. 

:o: 

S.  C.  GRIGGS  cC-  CO.,  CHICAGO. 
PRICE  $1.00,  FULL  GILT,  $1.25. 

OPINIONS  OF  THE  PRESS. 

"A  new  book  by  a  new  author,  at  least  new  to  us,  but  one  who  gives  us  poems 

of  a  pure  character  aud  of  a  high  order A  book  of  greater  poetic 

merit  has  not  appeared  for  years  past." — St.  Louis  Christian  Adrocate. 

"  'Art-Life  and  Other  Poems  '  almost  places  Mr.  Hathaway  on  an  equal  stand- 
ing with  the  most  popular  poets  of  the  country." — Chicago  Times. 

"  Some  of  the  shorter  lyrics  woull  do  credit  to  famed  pens." — Boston  Traveler. 

"  While  we  should  pass  many  of  these  poems  by  as  unattractive  at  a  first  glance, 
a  little  peep  here  aud  there  convinces  us,  that  the  writer  is  not  only  possessed  of 
the  true  inspiration,  but  that  he  is  competent  to  express  his  thoughts  in  felicit- 
ous language." — Inter-Ocean. 

"  The  reading  public  will  find  it  amply  fit  to  hold  its  place  among  American 
poems." — Qulncy  Whig. 

"  His  name  is  a  new  one  in  the  literary  world,  but  if  this  little  book  is  an  index 
of  his  power,  it  is  destined  to  become  widely  known." — Peoria  Tranxcr/pf. 

"  .  .  His  writings  indicate  talent  of  a  high  order.  There  is  much  true  poetry- 
beautiful  thought  in  beautiful  language — in  the  book." — Jacksonville  Journal. 

"  Many  of  the  poems  are  gems,  aud  contain  passages  that  would  do  credit  to 
Dryden,  whom  his  style  somewhat  resembles." — Say  City  Daily  Tribune. 

"  The  author  of  this  volume  has  poetic  genius.  There  are  many  passages,  in 
different  poems,  of  surpassing  beauty." — St.  Louis  Central  Baptist. 

"  The  collection  will  be  very  welcome  to  those  who  love  quiet,  home  aud  fire- 
side poetry." — Cleveland  Herald. 

"  Mr.  Hathaway  has  undoubtedly  poetic  inspiration  and  a  broad  and  fertile  im- 
agination. .  .  .  His  poems  are  of  a  class  which  show  culture  and  genius,  and 
have  the  merits  of  originality,  fervor,  imagination  and  truth." — Sacramento 
Eecord  Union. 


OPISIOXS  OF  THE  PRESS. 


"  Matured  and  finished  in  Construction."— N.  C.  INDEPENDENT. 

"  This  is  a  volume  of  poems  by  a  new  poet — and  we  use  this  name  in  its  true 
spiritual  and  artistic  sense.  The  author  starts  up  like  a  bird  from  some  wood- 
laud  seclusion— soaring  on  strong  wings  and  singing  new  songs,  and  he  must 
attract  attention.  ...  If  a  critical  reader  were  to  open  the  book  carelessly  at 
any  page  and  read  a  poem,  his  interest  would  inevitably  be  awakened  to  such  an 
extent  that  he  would  turn  to  the  title-page  to  discover  the  author.  There  he 
would  find  au  unknown  name  in  literature,  and  he  would  be  infinitely  surprised. 
Then  iu  the  spirit  of  a  discoverer  he  would  read  every  poem  in  the  book  and  con- 
tinually wonder  where  this  sweat  and  accomplished  singer  could  have  been  hiding 
himself  so  long.  ...  Hathaway  is  not  a  crude  versifier.  He  has  been  long  in 
study  and  practice  somewhere.  He  is  a  master  of  versification  and  embodies  his 
thought  in  beautiful  forms.  They  are  new  forms  too,  and  not  fantastical  either. 
The  flow  of  the  verses  is  always  in  perfect  harmony  with  the  poetic  idea.  They 
sometimes  come  in  torrents  and  sweep  into  au  espaasa  of  broaJ  thought,  which 
mirrors  the  calm  of  nature  and  the  repose  of  the  sympathizing  soul  that  is  sing- 
ing its  song  for  relief  from  its  fullness  of  music  and  power.  The  book  is  a 
hyuiucd  prayer  for  power,  and  the  substance  of  {he  prayer  is  work.  The  artistic 
longing,  the  potent  aspiration,  is  answered  in  true  song.  'Art-Life '  is  in  the 
key  of  Byron's  Childo  Harold,  so  far  asthe  reflective  passages  can  form  a  paral- 
lel. The  several  'Voices  from  Natura"  aro  iu  Shelley's  purely  spiritual  tone. 
Thus  these  songs  of  a  new  poet  remind  one  of  the  qualities  of  some  of  the  old 
singers,  whose  voices  forever  echo  in  our  ears.  And  this  genuine  singer  of  Lit- 
tle Prairie  Koude,  Michigan,  will  certainly  be  heard  from  again." — St.  Louis 
Jiepublica/i. 

"A  Michigan  jjot/,  worthy  of  the  name." — Grand  Rapids  Evening  Post. 

"  Throughout  these  records  of  a  quiet  country  life,  are  scattered  gems  of 
poetry,  thought  aud  sentiment  that  will  well  repay  perusal  and  possession  of  the 
volume.  A  forest  ramble  or  au  aimless  stroll  upon  the  beach  would  be  euriched 

by  the  companionship  which  many  of  these  short  poems  might  furnish 

One  sentiment  runs  through  all  the  poems— the  glory  and  reward  of  labor — de- 
velopment,— Art  taken  in  its  broadest  sense, — Creation Love  is 

the  inspiration  of  Art,  and  Art  the  destined  means  for  the  attaiumi  :it  of  perfect- 
uess." — Port  Huron  Times. 

"  While  it  may  be  too  soon  to  say  that  a  new  poet  has  appeared,  it  is  very  cer- 
tain that  the  poems  comprising  this  volume  are  of  more  than  ordinary  merit. 
They  are  characterized  by  smoothness  of  versification,  a  felicity  of  expression 
elegance  of  language  and  beauty  of  imagery.  Some  of  the  descriptive  poems 
would  do  credit  to  poets  of  established  reputation,  so  clear  and  beautiful  are  the 
pictures  presented;  while  others  display  a  vigor  of  thought  and  expression  quite 
rare  iu  the  poetry  of  the  day.  The  poems,  while  good  in  themselves,  are  a  prom- 
ise of  better  to  come." — Evening  Wisconsin. 


UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA  LIBRARY 

Los  Angeles 
This  book  is  DUE  on  the  last  date  stamped  below. 


UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA  LIBRARY 

Los  Angeles 
This  book  is  DUE  on  the  last  date  stamped  below. 


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